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RESI 


MEMORANDA 


OP   A 


RESIDENCE  AT  THE  CX)URT  OF  LONDON. 


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J 

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RICI 


f)As, 


l(  MEMORANDA  OF   A  RESIDENCE 


AT  THE 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


K 


E 


RICHARD  RUSH,  ENVOY  EXTRAORDINARY  AND  MINISTER 

PLENIPOTENTIARY  FROM  THE  UNITED  STATES 

OF  AMERICA,  FROM  1817  TO  1825. 


c 


SECOND    EDITION,    UEVISED    AND    ENLARGED. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
KEY  AND  BIDDLE,  23  MINOR  STREET. 

1833. 

pnor::r:i  c:  i::^  iin'^ARY 


Entered,  June  1833,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  by  Richard  Rush,  in  the 
Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  Eastern  District  of  Pennsyl- 


vania. 


4 

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1 


RUSSELL   AND   MAUTIEN,    PRlNTEnS. 


Deai 


I  do 

warrs 
in  the 
intims 


ings  u 


TO 


JAMES  MADISON, 


LATE    PRESIDENT    OP    THE    UNITED    STATES. 


Dear  Sir: 

I  venture  to  dedicate  this  volume  to  you. 
I  do  so  without  your  knowledge,  and  vr^y  only 
warrant  is,  that  the  public  principles  maatained 
in  the  negotiations  which  it  records,  have  had,  as 
intimated  in  the  present  edition,  your  high  sanction* 


^ 

% 


I  will  own  at  the  same  time  that  other  feel- 
ings urge  me  to  the  step.    To  you,  more  ihan  any 


DEDICATION. 


other  living  person,  I  feel  that  I  owe  my  own  know- 
ledge and  approbation  of  those  principles,  as  well 
as  others  of  high  value  affecting  our  form  of  go- 
vernment, and  modes  of  administering  it.     When 
a  young  man,  first  entering  into  political  life,  you 
honoured  me  with  your  friendship;   and,  I  may 
presume  to  add,  a  share  of  your  confidence.     At 
the  counsels  of  your  cabinet — where  sat  the  Mon- 
roes, the  Gallatins,  the  Dallascs,  the  Pinkneys, — 
and  under  conjunctures  eventful  and  perilous,  in 
which   difficulties   from    internal  dissension  were 
superadded  to  those  of  foreign  war  with  a  pow- 
erful foe,  I  heard   from   you  lessons  of  political 
wisdom  fit  to  be  ever  remembered,   because   in- 
terwoven    with     your     country's    glory,    which 
they   promoted;    whilst    not    less    frequently   at 
your    table,    and    fire-side,    graced   by  the   pre- 
sence of  one  who   has  been  the  ornament  and 
consolation   of  your   domestic  life,    as   she    was 
the  perpetual  charm  of  a  large   circle  at  Wasli- 


-3 


Jl 


DEDK  ATION. 


ington,  I  enjoyed  socijil  plensiiroR  than  wliich 
none  more  elevated  or  delightful  could  he  expe- 
rienced. 


Hoping  that  the  remainder  of  your  days 
may  be  as  happy  as  the  past  have  been  useful  and 
illustrious,  permit  me  the  grateful  privilege  of 
subscribing  myself. 

With  the  most  respectful 

and  affectionate  attachment, 

your  often  obliged  friend 

and  devoted  servant, 


RICHARD  RUSH. 


July  1833. 


'     pi 

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V 


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CONTENTS. 


Page, 
To  the  reader,      .  .  ...  .       ix 

Preface  to  the  second  edition,      ....     xxi 

CHAPTER  I. 

Voyage  and  arrival  at  the  Isle  of  Wight,  .  .      25 

CHAPTER  II. 

Landing  at  Portsmouth  and  journey  to  London,    .  .       35 

CHAPTER  III. 
First  interview  with  Lord  Castlcrcagh.  First  appearances  of 
London.  .  .  •  .  .  .50 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Interview  with  Lord  Castlcreagli — slaves  carried  away  from 
the  United  States  contrary  to  the  treaty  of  Ghent — equal- 
ization of  tonnage  duties — West  India  trade.  Members 
of  the  British  and  American  cabinets, .  .  .       56 


CHAPTER  V. 

London  east  of  Temple  bar.  London  north  of  Oxford  street,     77 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Dinner  at  Lord  Castlereagh's.  Members'of  the  diplomatic 
corps.    The  first  visit.    Dinner  at  Lord  Westmoreland's,     88 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Interview  with  Lord  Castlereagh — Slave  question  under  the 
treaty  of  Ghent — North-western  boundary  between  the 
United  States  and  British  possessions — Post  at  the  mouth 
of  Columbia  river,    .....      103 


:*?!>■ 


^1 


X  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Reception  by  the  Prince  Regent.  The  Levee.  Royal 
Family  .  .  .  .  .  .       112 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Attempt  upon  the  life  of  the  Duke  of  Wellington.  Old 
customs  about  the  court.  Dinner  at  the  Danish  minis- 
ter's. Moose,  Dudley,  and  Frederick  Ishinds.  Private 
audience  of  the  Queen.  The  Drawing  Room.  Dinner 
at  Lord  Castlercagh's,  .  .  .  .127 

CHAPTER  X. 

Emigration.  Literary  institutions.  Clubs.  Booksellers' 
shops.  St.  James's  pahice — party  at  the  Duchess  of 
Cumb'^rland's — at  the  Russian  ambassador's — at  the 
Marchioness  of  Staflbrd's — at  Lord  Melville's.  The 
Duke  of  Sussex.  The  Canadas.  Dinner  at  the  Man- 
sion House,    .  .  •  .  •  .143 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Visit  to  Mr.  West.  Dinner  at  Mr.  Lyttleton's — at  Lord 
Holland's.  A  day  at  DopUbrd  and  Greenwich.  Dinner 
at  the  Austrian  ambassador's — at  Earl  Balluirst's.  Mar- 
riage of  the  Princess  Elizabeth.   Dinner  at  Lord  Bagot's,  1G7 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Interview  with  Lord  Castlereagh.  General  negotiation 
pro|)Osed  on  the  West  India  trade.  Marilinie  {|ucstions 
and  Imprisonment.  Nature  of  the  last  (piestion.  The 
Slave  trade.  Oiler  of  British  n)cdiation  in  the  affairs 
of  the  United  States  and  S|)!uri.  Dinner  at  Mr.  Wilber- 
forcc's — at  the  l-'.arl  of  Ilardwicke's.  Almacs — late 
hours — Covent  (Jarden  Tlicatrc, 


196 


CHAPTER  XIII. 
Wager  of  battle.     Interview  witii  Lord  Castlereagh — Im- 


CONTENTS. 


XI 


27 


pressment— course  of  Great  Britain  and  the  United 
States  as  between  Spain  and  her  colonies — affairs  be- 
tween the  United  States  and  Spain.  Safety  of  diploma- 
tic correspondence.  The  Drawing  Room.  Birlh  day 
dinner  at  Lord  Castleieagh's, ....     221 

CFI AFTER  XIV. 

The  daily  press.  Enfjrjish  and  French  porcelain.  Annual 
exhibition  at  the  Royal  Academy.  Public  societies. — 
Dinner  at  the  Marquis  of  Lansdowne's.  Evening  en- 
tertainment at  Carlton  House.  Dinner  at  Dr.  Pinck- 
ard's,  .......     240 


l43 


.07 


CHAPTER  XV. 

The  United  States  and  Ionian  Islands.  Affairs  between 
the  United  States  and  Spain.  Motiutnciit  to  Burns. 
British  Institution,  Pall  Mull.  Dinner  at  Mr.  Canning's. 
Lord  Erskine,  .....     269 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

Dissolution  of  Parliament.  Revenue  and  resources  of  Eng- 
land. Interview  with  Lord  Castlcrcagh — Impressment 
— the  Slave  trade — commercial  convention  of  1815. 
Dinner  at  the  Manjuis  of  Stafford's.  Further  interview 
with  Lord  (^'asllercagh  on  Impressment  and  the  Slave 
trade.  The  hustings  at  Covent  CardcMi.  Dinner  at  the 
Chancellor  of  the  exchequer's.  Party  at  the  Marchio- 
ness of  Hereford's — at  Carlton  House,  .  .     291 


00 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Interview  witli  Lord  Castlereagh — general  negotiation 
proposed — commercial  convention  of  1815.  European 
mediation  between  Spain  and  her  colonies.  Diimer  at 
Mr.  VilJicrs's.  The  (Juarterly  Review.  Interview  with 
Lord  Castlereagh — pro|tosiil  for  a  general  negotiation 
acceptt'd — Mr.  (iallaiin  to  take  part  in  it — Mi.  Robinson 
and  Mr.  Goulburn,  the  British  negotiators.  Coinmerciul 


xu 


CONTENTS. 


convention  of  1815.  Dinner  at  Sir  John  Sinclair's — at 
Mr.  Bentham's — at  the  French  ambassador's.  Interview 
with  Lord  Castlereagh — course  of  Great  Britain  and  the 
United  States  towards  Spain  and  her  colonies.  Affair 
of  Pensacola,  ......     326 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Interview  with  Lord  Castlereagh.  Impressment — cases  of 
Arbuthnot  and  Ambrister.  Mr.  Gallatin  arrives  in  Lon- 
don. Preparatory  conference  at  North  Cray,  Kent,  the 
seat  of  Lord  Castleroafrh,  where  the  negotiators  d.ne  and 
pass  the  night.  Appearances  of  the  country.  Opening 
of  the  negotiation — the  points  recapitulated.  Last  in- 
terview with  Lord  Castlereagh  on  Impressment,  prior  to 
his  departure  for  Aix  la  Chapelle,        .  .  .     361 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

Progress  of  the  negotiation.  A  convention  concluded. 
Questions  arranged  by  it ;  viz.  that  of  the  fisheries — 
north-western  boundary  line — Columbia  River  and  terri- 
tory west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains — commercial  conven- 
tion of  1815 — slaves  carried  off  contrary  to  the  treaty  of 
Ghent,  .  .  .  .  .  .388 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Subjects  which  the  negotiation  left  unsettled,  particularly 
the  West  India  trade  and  Impressment, 


416 


CHAPTER  XXL 

The  English  in  the  autumn.     Inauguration  of  the  Lord 
Mayor.     Death  of  the  Queen,  ...     451 

CHAPTER  XXH. 
Americans  abroad.     Cases  of  Arbuthnot  and  Ambrister. 
Opening  of  Parliament.     Royal  speech,  by  commission. 
Visit  from   Mr.  Bcntham.     Dinner  at   Mr.  Weilcslcy 
Pole's.     Chesapeake  and  Shannon,      .  .  .     471 


TO  THE  READER. 


416 


451 


471 


When  I  first  took  the  pen  to  prepare  the 
following  sheets  for  the  press,  it  was  with  the 
intention  of  going  through  the  full  term  of  my 
mission ;  but  finding  them  run  on  to  their  present 
number  in  using  the  materials  of  little  more  than 
a  year,  I  have,  for  the  present,  given  over  that  in- 
tention. I  am  the  more  admonished  to  this  course, 
as  negotiations  with  which  I  was  charged  at  later 
periods,  were  more  elaborate  and  full  than  any 
recorded  in  this  volume.  Miss  More,  in  noticing 
Pope's  precept,  that  the  greatest  art  in  writing 
is  "/o  i/o/,"  says  *liat  there  is  still  a  greater — the 
art  to  stop. 

The  contents  of  the  chapters  may  startle  at  first ; 
but  I  trust  only  at  first.  I  am  as  deeply  sensible 
of  the  impropriety  of  making  an  ill  use  of  the  in- 
cidents of  private  life,  as  it  is  possible  any  one  can 
be,  and  flatter  myself  that  what  1  iiavc  said  in 


•I 
) 

r 
i 


X  TO  THE  READER. 

this  connexion,  will  be  clear  of  all  exception.  I 
would  otherwise  burn  the  sheets;  I  would  burn 
them  if  I  thought  they  contained  a  line  or  a  word 
to  create  a  moment's  uneasiness  in  any  one  person 
whose  name  is  mentioned.  In  giving  an  account 
of  conversations  others  than  official,  I  have  drawn 
sparingly  upon  my  memory  and  notes ;  not  that  I 
heard  things  improper  had  all  been  told,  but  that  a 
thousand  things  pass  in  conversation  not  adapted  to 
print,  any  more  than  intended  for  it.  Reports  then 
or  narratives  given  under  restraints  from  which 
I  never  could  be  free,  may  be  found  meagre ; 
and  in  such  cases  I  am  the  one  to  blame,  desiring 
always  to  err  on  the  side  of  abstinence  where 
indulgence  would  be  criminal.  Doubtless  also 
there  has  often  been  a  falling  off  in  my  limited 
reports  of  what  was  said  by  others,  from  the 
better  manner  in  which  it  was  said  by  the  per- 
sons themselves.  Here  too  I  am  the  one  respon- 
sible. In  many  instances  I  have  been  happy  to 
render  acknowledgments  for  the  kindest  hospitali- 
ties received  in  England.  Should  the  work  be 
continued,  this  list  would  be  much  enlarged  by 
names  not  hitherto  reached. 

There  are  questions  involved  in  the  negotiations 
I  have  recorded,  of  the  deepest  prospective  inter- 


I       1 


TO  THE  READER. 


XI 


m- 
to 
ili- 
be 

|by 


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ler- 


est  to  both  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain. 
If  I  have  explained  these  go  that  they  may  be 
rightly  understood,  and  send  them  into  the  world 
under  a  companionship  that  may  add  to  the  chan- 
ces of  their  being  at  all  read  in  both  countries, 
I  believe  that  I  shall  not  have  written  altogether  in 
vain.  Whei^Jl  say  in  hoth^  I  confess  that  I  chiefly 
mean  Britain;  for  with  all  the  power  of  intelli- 
gence and  information  in  that  country  upon  public 
as  all  subjects,  I  am  satisfied  that  the  American 
questions  are  less  generally  inquired  into  than 
many  others,  and  less  generally  understood  than 
in  this  country.  I  have  written  in  the  spirit  of 
good  feeling  towards  Britain  which  may  be  cher- 
ished by  every  American  compatibly  with  his  supe- 
rior love  for  his  own  country,  and  which  I  believe 
few  Americans  fail  to  cherish  who  stay  there  as 
long  as  I  did.  A  residence  of  nearly  eight  years, 
corrected  many  erroneous  impressions  I  had  pre- 
viously taken  up ;  as  a  residence  of  like  time  in 
this  country  by  Britons,  almost  invariably  imbues 
them  with  totally  different  feelings  and  opinions 
respecting  the  United  States,  from  those  adopted 
by  their  hasty,  and  too  often  uninformed  and  un- 
candid  travellers,  who  come  among  us.  Enough 
has  been  written  and  said  on  both  sides,  to  irritate ; 


s 

? 

(/I 
t 

Si 


Xll 


TO  THE  READER. 


my  desire  is,  and  such  my  effort,  to  soothe.  Pre- 
sident Jackson,  in  his  last  annual  message  to 
Congress,  has  spoken  of  the  value  of  a  good 
understanding  between  two  countries,  "  cement- 
ed by  a  community  of  language,  manners  and 
social  habits^  and  by  the  high  obligaiions  we  owe 
to  our  British  ancestors  for  many  of  our  most  valu- 
able institutions^  and  for  that  system  of  representative 
government  ivhich  has  enabled  us  to  jwescrve  and 
improve  them,,'''' 

In  publishing  negotiations  which  I  conducted  for 
my  country,  and  other  pfficial  communications,  it  is 
proper  I  should  say,  that  I  violate  no  duty.  It  is 
known  to  be  as  well  the  practice  as  tlie  principle 
of  the  government  of  the  United  States,  to  publish 
such  documents  for  general  information ;  and  in 
fact  I  publish  nothing  that  has  not  heretofore  had 
publicity  in  this  manner,  though  piecemeal  and  at 
detached  intervals.  I  know  of  no  exception,  cer- 
tainly of  no  material  exception,  unless  the  cases 
of  Arbuthnot  and  Ambrister.  These  constitute  a 
transaction  too  marked  to  remain  unknown  in  its 
diplomatic  progress,  the  result  having  long  been 
known.  My  more  ample  account  of  it  all,  at  the 
time  it  arose,  was  transmitted  to  the  department  of 
state,  and  rests  in  its  archives. 


TO  THE  READER. 


Xltl 


Even  the  European  rule  sanctions  the  pubUca- 

tion  of  negotiations  when  no  longer  pending,  and 

this  is  the  case  with  all  I  present.     I  have  only 

given  them  in  connecting  links,  and  under  forms 

somewhat  different.  Often  I  have  omitted  par- 
ticulars already  published   by  the  governnment; 

whilst  sometimes  I  have  brought  to  light  what 
may  serve  as  new  explanations.  In  this,  as  other 
parts  of  the  work,  I  venture  to  claim  for  it  as  the 
only  title  to  an  indulgent  reception,  essential  fide- 
lity in  its  contents;  repeating,  that  I  am  charge- 
able with  all  imperfections  merely  verbal. 

I  might  have  thrown  into  separate  works,  the 
parts  official  and  parts  personal;  but  I  preferred 
their  junction.  No  public  man,  whatever  the  ex- 
tent or  magnitude  of  his  duties,  leads  a  purely 
official  life,  detached  from  personal  scenes  and 
feehngs  interwoven  with  it.  Some  view  of  these 
may  even  serve  on  occasion  to  elucidate  better  the 
true  movement  of  official  acts,  by  exhibiting  the 
latter  in  a  broader  connexion.  I  have  also  thought 
that  it  might  not  be  wholly  unacceptable  to  the 
American  comnmnity,  to  know  something  of  the 
personal  reception  of  their  minister  in  England,  in 
virtue  of  the  trust  he  bears ;  not  simply  that  which 
awaits  him  in  the  common  forms  when  he  first 


s 


r 

% 

r 

A 
I 
3 


XIV 


TO  THE  READER. 


arrives,  but  more  generally  afterwards.  The  same 
motive  will  open  to  his  countrymen  some  views, 
imperfect  indeed  and  few,  but  still  some  views,  of 
the  social  tone  prevailing  in  classes  amongst  which 
his  public  trust  necessarily,  and,  if  his  residence 
be  protracted,  largely  throws  him. 

Brief  reflections  which  I  may  now  and  then  have 
hazarded  on  the  institutions  and  character  of  Eng- 
land, are  of  little  moment.  They  will  pass  only 
for  what  they  are  worth  with  those  who  may  be  at 
the  trouble  of  reading  them.  Far  from  my  pur- 
pose has  it  been  to  scan  all  her  institutions  and 
character,  (a  mighty  task!)  but  rather  to  speak 
cursorily  of  portions  falling  under  my  own  imme- 
diate observation  in  some  among  the  many  spheres 
of  her  society  and  population.  Other  portions 
have  been  abundantly  described  by  her  own  and 
foreign  writers;  and  here,  portraits  unlike  each 
other,  may  each  be  true  to  the  original.  Even  an 
individual  in  whom  great  qualities  meet,  may  often 
be  described  under  different  colours,  each  being 
just,  according  to  the  point  of  sight  whence  he  is 
beheld ;  who  then  shall  undertake  to  concentrate 
in  a  single  picture,  a  great  and  mighty  nation! 
The  opinions  in  which  I  feel  most  confidence,  and 
which  are  most  important,  are  those  which  relate 


TO  THE   READER. 


XV 


ion! 


to  the  wealth  and  power  of  England,  and  their 
steady  augmentation.  Those,  of  whatever  nature, 
in  which  I  have  indulged,  have  reference,  with 
scarcely  any  exceptions,  to  the  dates  that  belong 
to  them.  I  am  aware  that  great  political  changes 
have  taken  place  since  ;  but  I  do  not,  at  my  dis- 
tance, believe  that  any  essential  changes  will  yet 
have  been  produced  by  them,  in  the  character  or 
habits  of  the  nation.  These,  when  the  growth  of 
ages,  alter  slowly  in  any  country.  In  England 
they  will  come  about  more  slowly  than  in  most 
countries. 

Of  current  politics,  I  have  said  nothing.  Who 
looks  for  party  spirit  therefore  in  these  pages,  will 
not  find  it.  They  are  merely  intended  to  be  histo- 
rical and  descriptive,  if,  in  very  humble  ways,  they 
may  at  all  lay  claim  to  such  characteristics.  Un- 
der the  latter  head,  it  has  chiefly  been  my  aim  to 
describe  scenes  and  topics  not  generally  found  in 
books,  rather  than  such  as  are  open  to  all,  or  have 
been  amply  described  by  others.  It  will  scarcely 
be  supposed  that  all  the  scenes,  social  or  oiRcial, 
of  my  mission  are  embodied  in  the  work.  Of  the 
first  there  are  only  occasional  notices ;  and  of  the 
second  only  such  have  been  selected  as  are  deci- 
dedly national,  and  not  all  these.     The  whole 


s 


XVI 


TO  THE  READER. 


business  of  private  claims,  requiring  appeals  to  the 
British  government,  I  have  of  course  passed  by,  as 
well  as  a  great  variety  of  incidental  duties.  These 
are  of  constant  recurrence  in  countries  between 
which  there  is  so  large  and  active  a  commerce  as 
the  United  States  and  Great  Britain.  The  con- 
suls take  charge  of  many  of  them;  but  the  cases 
are  still  numerous  in  which  they  find  their  way  to 
the  minister.  The  latter  is  also  charged  with  su- 
pervising, quarterly,  the  accounts  of  all  the  consuls 
of  the  United  States  in  Great  Britain  and  Ireland, 
for  expenditures  for  the  relief  of  destitute  or  dis- 
tressed American  seamen ;  and  it  is  on  his  drafts 
alone  that  funds  are  advanced  for  this  object.  So 
it  was  in  my  time,  and  formed  a  burdensome,  and 
not  very  appropriate,  part  oi  the  minister's  duty, 
expenditures  on  this  account  within  the  British  do- 
minions being  equal  to  those  in  all  other  foreign 
countries  put  together — a  fact  that  in  itself  attests 
the  extent  of  our  commerce  and  navigation  with 
Great  Britain. 

I  went  to  England  again  on  a  short  visit  in  1829. 
An  interval  of  but  four  years  had  elapsed ;  yet 
I  was  amazed  at  the  increase  of  London.  The 
Regent's  Park,  which,  when  I  first  knew  the  west- 
end  of  the  town,  disclosed  nothing  but  lawns  and 


fieJ 
bui 

^      of 
soul 
]iav( 
crea 
gray 
me  M 
ster 
miles 
comm 
cotta^ 
tion  I 
ing  oi 
or  of 
Park 
any  th 
new  ai 
down, 
scarce 
beJievei 
fall  of  tL 
tion  cor 
stately 
the  exa 


"> 


TO  THE  READER 


XVII 


he 

as 
ese 
een 
)  as 
ion- 
ases 
y  to 
1  su- 
[isuls 
land, 
r  dis- 
irafts 
So 
and 

duty, 
do- 

)reign 

ttests 
with 

1829. 

;  yet 

The 

west- 

and 


;h 


fields,  was  now  a  city;  you  saw  long  rows  of  lofty 
buildings,  in  their  outward  asi)cct  niagniticent. 
On  this  whole  space,  was  set  down  a  population 
of  probably  not  less  than  fifty  or  si^ty  thousand 
souls.  Another  city  hardly  smaller,  seemed  to 
have  sprung  up  in  the  neighbourhood  of  St.  Pan- 
creas' church  and  the  London  University.  Bel- 
grave  square  in  an  opposite  region,  broke  upon 
me  with  like  surprise.  The  road  from  Westmin- 
ster Bridge  to  Greenwich,  exhibited  for  several 
miles  compact  ranges  of  new  houses.  Finchley 
common,  desolate  in  1819,  was  covered  with  neat 
cottages,  and  indeed  villages.  In  whatever  direc- 
tion I  went,  indications  were  similar.  I  say  noth- 
ing of  Carlton  terrace,  for  Carlton  House  w  as  gone, 
or  of  the  street,  of  two  miles,  from  that  point  to 
Park  Crescent,  surpassing  any  other  in  London,  or 
any  that  I  saw  in  Europe.  To  make  room  for  this 
new  and  spacious  street,  old  ones  had  been  pulled 
down,  of  which  no  vestige  remained.  I  could 
scarcely,  but  for  the  evidence  of  the  senses,  have 
beheved  it  all.  The  historian  of  the  decline  and 
fall  of  the  Roman  empire  remarks,  that  the  descrip- 
tion composed  in  the  Theodosian  age,  of  the  many 
stately  mansions  in  Rome,  might  almost  excuse 
the  exaggeration  of  the  poet ;  that  "  Rome  con- 
3 


< 

PI 


;3 

OS 

2ci 


i 


XVlll 


TO  THE  READEU. 


tained  a  multitude  of  palaces,  and  that  each  palace 
was  equal  to  a  city."  Is  the  British  metropolis  ad- 
vancing to  that  destiny?  Manchester,  Liverpool, 
Birmingham,  and  other  provincial  towns  that  I 
visited,  appeared,  on  their  smaller  scales,  to  have 
increased  as  much. 

In  the  midst  of  it  all,  nearly  every  newspaper  that 
I  opened,  rang  the  changes  upon  the  distress  and 
poverty  of  England.  Mr.  Peel's  bill  banishing  bank 
notes  under  five  poimds  from  circulation,  had  re- 
cently passed.  There  was  great  clamor ;  there  is 
always  clamor  at  something  among  this  people. 
Prices  had  fallen.  Trade  was  said  to  be  irrecov- 
erably ruined,  through  the  over-production  of  goods  ; 
though  I  have  since  seen  the  state  of  things  at  that 
epoch  better  described  perhaps,  as  the  result  of  an 
under-production  of  money.  Workmen  in  many 
places  were  out  of  employ.  There  were  said  to  be 
fourteen  thousand  of  this  description  in  Manchester. 
I  saw  portions  of  them  walking  along  the  streets, 
most  of  whom  had  struck  for  wages.  I  asked  how 
they  subsisted,  when  doing  nothing.  It  was  an- 
swered, that  they  had  laid  up  funds  by  joint  contri- 
butions among  themselves  whilst  engaged  in  work. 
In  no  part  of  Liverpool,  or  its  extensive  environs, 
did  I  see  pauperism ;  the  paupers  for  that  entire  dis^ 


•/ 


""^ 


TO  THE  READER. 


XIX 


lace 
;  ad- 
f)Ool, 
lat  1 
have 

fthat 

s  and 

bank 

ad  re" 

lere  is 

)eople. 

recoV" 

(roods ; 

at  that 
of  an 
many 
to  be 

Ihester. 
treets, 
id  how 
as  an- 
contri' 
work, 
virons, 
ire  dig' 


trict  being  kept  within  the  hmits  of  its  poor  house; 
in  which  receptacle  1  was  informed  there  were  fif- 
teen hundred.  I  passed  throuirh  the  vale  of  Che- 
shire ;  I  saw  in  that  ferril<'  district,  in  Lancashire, 
Staffordshire,  Derb)  bliire,  Leicestershire,  Warwick- 
shire, Worcestershire,  appearances  of  wide-spread 
prosperity,  in  the  lands,  houses,  canals,  roads,  pub- 
he  works,  domestic  animals,  people;  in  every  thing 
that  the  eye  of  the  merely  transient  traveller  took 
in.  I  stopped  at  Kenilworth,  and  Warwick  castle ; 
enchanting  spots,  which  English  hterature  has  al- 
most rendered  classic ;  high  up,  along  the  moulder- 
ing ruins  of  the  former,  rooks  were  fluttering  at  the 
moment  of  my  entering  the  gate,  whence  the  view 
bursts  upon  you.  I  had  invitations  to  Trentham- 
hall,  Apthorpe,Hagley,Ockham,  Langewin,  Grange 
Park,  Digswell ;  from  going  to  which  I  was  prevent- 
ed by  objects  confining  me  to  the  metropolis.  But 
I  seize  this  opportunity  of  marking  my  sense  of  the 
kindnesses  intended  me  by  the  proprietors  of  those 
beautiful  seats.  Nor  can  I  let  it  pass  without  com- 
prehending in  my  grateful  acknowledgments  my 
valued  American  friends,  George  Marx,  and  Joshua 
Bates,  Esquires ;  who,  with  their  amiable  families, 
kept  London  from  being  a  dull  place  to  me  during 
the  autumn  and  part  of  the  winter,  by  their  warm- 


2 


PI 


I 


-.1 


<1 


5 

f 
t 


XX 


TO  THE  READER. 


hearted  hospitalities.  I  have  the  same  to  say  of 
a  friend  of  longer  date,  Colonel  Aspinwall,  consul 
of  the  United  States  at  London,  then  residing  with 
his  amiable  family  at  Highgate. 

I  cannot  close  these  preliminary  lines  without  the 
remark,  that  since  the  volume  was  written,  events 
have  transpired  in  our  own  country,  calculated  at 
first  to  give  uneasiness  to  those  who  dearly  love 
it.  But  may  we  not  hope  that  all  danger  is  past ; 
and  that  the  Union  which  made  and  can  alone  pre- 
serve us  a  Nation,  will  derive  from  them  new 

strength  and  glory  ? 

R.  R. 

Sydenham,  near  PhiladclpJiia, 
April,  1833. 


^^«%. 


I 

1 


PREFACE 


TO   THE   SECOND    EDITION. 


The  favour  with  which  this  volume  has  been  re- 
ceived by  my  countrymen,  having  exhausted  the 
first  edition,  a  second  is  issued,  revised  and  some- 
what enlarged. 

It  appears  also,  as  far  as  my  information  has 
extended,  to  have  been  well  received  in  England. 
Among  the  notices  of  it  in  that  country,  is  one,  of 
which  I  have  heard,  though  I  l:ave  not  seen  it,  of  a 
character  to  give  me  solid  satisfaction.  It  was 
said  to  be  contained  in  a  London  Review,  and 
among  other  things  to  remark,  in  effect,  that  the 
facts  and  views  which  the  work  embodies  on  Im- 
pressment, deserved  the  full  and  candid  considera- 
tion of  the  British  public  and  government.  My 
highest  aim  in  writing  the  work,  was  to  draw  at- 
tention to  the  public  questions  between  the  two 
nations ;  questions  of  the  greatest  importance,  and 


(5* 


'1 

f 

5 


XXll 


PREFACE    TO 


which,  although  for  the  present  asleep,  are  liable, 
in  the  progress  of  time  and  events,  to  break  out 
with  much  if  not  all  of  their  original  virulence.  It 
was  my  endeavour  to  present  these  in  a  shape  that 
might  cause  them  to  be  read,  not  merely  by  politi- 
cians, but  others,  whose  voices  help  to  make  up 
public  opinion ;  the  force  of  which  all  govern- 
ments, however  constituted,  are  sure,  in  the 
end,  to  feel.  This  I  knew  I  could  not  accom- 
plish by  a  long  account  of  negotiations  interspers- 
ed with  dry  and  verbose  documents,  where,  as 
Burke  says  of  old  acts  of  parliament,  "  parenthesis 
is  often  smothered  by  parenthesis,  and  the  mean- 
ing, suspended  throughout  whole  pages,  escapes 
before  you  can  come  up  with  it."  I  therefore 
tried  another  form,  that  required  more  time,  whilst 
it  occupied  less  space ;  that  was  designed  to  unite 
official  authenticity,  and  a  fulness  that  should  omit 
no  material  points,  with  systematic  condensation, 
and  a  style  that  I  hoped  would  be  intelligible  to 
all. 

But  official  matter,  disguise  it  as  you  may,  is 
official  matter  still,  and  apt  to  wear  an  aspect,  if 
Htanding  by  itself,  little  inviting  to  the  general 
reader ;  and  thence  I  ventured  upon  so  mixing  it 
up  with  personal  scenes  and  incidents  as  scarcely 


THE  SECOND  EDITION. 


XXlll 


i 


to  leave  him  an  option  whether  he  would  take  it 
or  not,  at  least  in  part,  from  the  very  difficulty  he 
would  find  in  separating  as  he  went  along,  a  piece 
of  work  so  dove-tailed.  Here  was  a  task  of  both 
nicety  and  peril.  If  I  said  but  little,  no  interest 
would  be  excited;  and  if  I  said  a  word  too  much, 
I  know  what  censure  I  would  have  had,  and 
deserved.  It  was  a  path  marked  by  hair  lines  and 
beset  with  snares;  for  it  was  real  life  and  person- 
ages I  was  to  deal  with,  in  the  sanctity  of  their 
own  mansions  that  had  been  opened  to  me,  not 
the  dialogue,  or  banquets,  or  under-plots,  or  any 
of  the  fictitious  delineations,  characters  or  pas- 
sages of  the  novel.  If,  in  the  midst  of  elements  so 
conflicting  and  obligations  so  delicate,  where 
simple  truth  and  fidelity  were  to  be  my  guides,  it 
has  been  my  lot  to  gain  a  hearing  for  the  public 
questions  of  my  mission,  (and  impressment  is  far 
from  being  the  only  one,)  through  the  medium  of 
even  as  much  as  I  have  allowed  myself  to  say  of 
the  personal  scenes,  I  cannot  refrain  from  giving 
renewed  expression  to  the  hope  that  I  shall  not 
have  written  altogether  in  vain. 

R.  R. 
Sydenham^  Juliet  1833. 


e 

2 


ti 


I 


^3 


2P 


• 


MEMORANDA 


i 


OF  A 


RESIDENCE  AT  THE  COURT  OF  LONDON. 


CHAPTER  I. 

VOYAGE  AND  ARRIVAL  AT  THE  ISLE  OF  WIGHT. 

On  the  nineteenth  of  November,  1817,  1  em- 
barked at  AnnapoHs  in  the  Frankhn  74,  as  envoy 
extraordinary  and  minister  plenipotentiary  from 
the  United  States,  to  the  court  of  London.  The 
ship  was  new,  built  at  Philadelphia,  and  ordered 
round  to  Annapolis  to  take  me  and  my  family  on 
board.  The  anchors  were  weighed  to  the  sound 
of  music.  We  were  three  days  in  getting  down 
the  Chesapeake,  and  on  the  tw^enty-third,  found 
ourselves  at  sea.  The  evening  sun  shone  upon 
the  light-house  as  we  left  the  capes,  which  jut  out 
towards  each  other,  looking,  from  the  ocean,  like 
4 


OS 

2i 


i 


•I 


I 

3 


26  RESIDENCE  AT  THE  [1817, 

a  fine  natural  gate-way  to  the  entrance  of  this  part 
of  our  country. 

I  will  not  stop  to  describe  the  minute  occurren- 
ces of  the  voyage,  though  a  large  man-of-war 
abounds  with  them,  as  they  strike  upon  the  obser- 
vation of  a  person  who  has  never  before  been  at 
sea.  The  crew  consisted  of  upwards  of  seven 
hundred  men.  The  ship  was  of  two  thousand  tons, 
and  although  rated  a  74,  mounted  ninety  guns,  all 
of  the  same  calibre — 32  pounders.  If  silence  and 
cleanliness  be  proofs  of  discipline,  the  ship's  compa- 
ny was  entitled  to  that  praise.  We  had  one  storm, 
a  severe  one ;  so  it  seemed  to  a  landsman.  As 
it  was  coming  on,  the  sails  were  taken  in,  and  even 
whilst  it  raged,  the  top-gallant  yards  sent  down, 
and  masts  struck,  with  a  quickness  that  appeared 
wonderful.  "  Ca//  a  hundred  men  aft,''''  said  the 
officer  on  the  quarter  deck  to  a  midshipman,  when 
something  urgent  was  to  be  done.  In  a  moment, 
a  hundred  men  were  there.  Occasionally  the 
trumpet  was  used;  the  straining  of  the  voice 
through  which  amidst  the  roaring  of  the  winds, 
had  a  hideous  sound. 

When  the  storm  began  to  abate,  I  fell  into  con- 
versation with  Commodore  Stewart  We  were 
holding  on  to  one  of  the  guns,  that  had  been  run 


■■a 
^1 


1817.]  COURT  OP  LONDON.  27 

into  the  cabin.  "Commodore,"  said  I,  "this  is  a 
new  scene  to  me ;  what  could  you  do  if  we  were 
at  war  and  an  enemy  of  equal  force  hove  in  sight  ?" 
"  Chase  him,''^  he  said  gravely.  "  What  then,"  I 
replied ;  "  you  could  not  engage  I  suppose  ?  for  ten 
hours  your  ship  has  been  tempest-tost;  all  your 
exertions  seem  to  have  been  required  to  resist  the 
storm;  your  very  upper-deck  guns  would  have 
rolled  their  muzzles  in  the  sea,  had  they  not  been 
housed."  "  True,"  he  said,  "  but  we  could  keep 
the  enemy  in  sight."  "  But  certainly  you  could 
not  fight  him,"  I  again  remarked.  "We  could 
not,"  he  rejoined,  "wot^;  but  we  should  watch 
each  other,  and  go  to  it  when  the  storm  was  over^ 
"  What,  all  exhausted  with  the  labour  it  has  cost, 
all  dismantled  as  your  ship  is  ?"  "  Yes,  as  quick 
as  possible,"  he  answered;  "there  would  be  no 
time  to  lose ;  the  rigging  must  go  up  faster  than  it 
came  down."  Such  is  war;  the  elements  cannot 
stop  it ;  their  Very  ragini'-  seems  akin  to  it.  This 
was  no  vain  boasting.  The  commodore  was  a 
modest,  unassuming  man;  but  faithful  to  his  duty 
in  the  battle  or  storm. 

An  incident  occurred  that  may  be  worth  men- 
tioning from  its  possible  bearing  upon  the  theory 
of  the  currents  along  our  coast.    We  left  the 


C 

(ft 

',1 


t 
i 


28 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1817. 


capes  of  Chesapeake  on  a  Sunday,  steering  for 
England.  On  the  following  Friday,  to  the  surprise 
of  all  on  board,  we  saw  land.  It  proved  to  be  the 
Island  of  Bermuda.  But  how  came  we  there? 
Our  captain  had  no  intention  of  running  down  to 
that  latitude.  From  the  first  few  hours  after  leav- 
ing the  capes,  the  winds  had  been  light,  chiefly 
from  the  north  and  north-west,  and  the  weather 
thick.  No  accurate  observations  could  be  taken. 
We  were  aware  that  the  ship  had  fallen  to  the 
south  before  entering  the  gulf  stream,  but  had 
counted  upon  its  current,  which  sweeps  from  south 
to  north,  bringing  us  sufficiently  back  again.  It 
happened  that  when  we  entered  it,  the  wind  fresh- 
ened and  carried  us  across  very  fast,  dying  away 
soon  afterwards.  Thus  the  current  had  but  little 
time  to  act,  in  drifting  us  again  to  the  north.  This 
seemed  to  be,  in  part,  the  way  of  accounting  for  the 
situation  of  the  ship ;  yet  the  fact  was  strange,  that 
she  should  be  so  far  south,  as  no  very  strong  winds 
had  blown  from  the  north  or  any  quarter.  I  am  sen- 
sible that  to  present  this  fact  with  nautical  accuracy, 
the  precise  state  of  the  winds,  with  the  ship's  reck- 
oning for  each  day,  ought  to  be  given,  which  I 
have  not  the  means  of  doing.  Humboldt,  who 
overlooked  nothing  connected  with  the  phenomena 


3 

'■.! 

■•3 


1817.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


29 


of  nature,  remarks  in  his  personal  narrative  upon 
the  small  portion  of  knowledge  which  we  possess 
of  the  absolute  position  and  breadth  of  the  gulf 
stream,  as  well  as  of  its  prolongation  towards  the 
coasts  of  Europe  and  Africa ;  and  as  the  true 
knowledge  of  it  would  be  of  the  highest  impor- 
tance in  shortening  voyages,  he  hints  that  it  might 
be  useful  if  vessels  furnished  with  the  best  instru- 
ments were  instructed  to  cruise  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexi- 
co, and  in  the  Atlantic,  between  the  thirtieth  and 
fifty-fourth  degrees  of  north  latitude,  expressly  with 
a  view  to  determine  at  what  distances  and  in  what 
precise  directions  the  stream  is  found  in  different 
seasons,  and  under  the  influence  of  diflferent  winds. 
The  same  navigators,  he  remarks,  might  have  in- 
structions to  examine  whether  this  great  current 
constantly  skirts  the  southern  bank  of  Newfound- 
land ;  and  on  what  parallel  between  32  and  40  de- 
grees of  west  longitude,  the  waters  which  run  from 
east  to  west,  are  nearest  to  those  which  flow  in  an 
opposite  direction.  The  commodore,  who  was 
considered  by  those  who  knew  him  best,  to  be  as 
skilful  a  navigator  as  he  was  an  accomplished  and 
gallant  oflicer,  inclined  to  the  belief  I  thought,  that 
the  currents  of  the  ocean,  the  theory  of  which  we 
do  not    yet  fully  understand,  had   exerted   some 


V 

6* 
< 

•Jl 


30 


RESIDENCE   AT    THE 


[1817. 


agency  in  bringing  the  ship  into  the  situation  de- 
scribed. 

On  the  evening  of  the  twenty-eighth,  after  hav- 
ing had  Bermuda  in  view  for  a  few  hours,  and 
noticing  some  signals  made  to  us,  the  wind  spring- 
ing up,  we  gladly  bade  it  adieu,  and  laid  our  course 
for  England.  It  was  on  the  Sunday  following 
that  we  had  the  storm.  From  that  time  the  ship 
went  SAviftly  onward  under  boisterous  winds.  On 
the  fourteenth  of  December  we  were  in  the  channel. 
The  nights  were  long  and  dark ;  the  days  gloomy. 
We  could  get  no  good  observation  from  the  sun  or 
stars ;  we  spoke  no  vessels,  saw  none ;  nor  any 
sign  of  a  pilot.  The  New  England  pilot  boats 
and  those  of  the  Chesapeake,  our  officers  said, 
would  run  out  to  sea  twenty  ?»nd  thirty  miles  to 
look  for  vessels ;  but  here  in  the  English  channel, 
such  a  highway  for  vessels,  no  pilots  were  to  be 
seen,  and  at  a  season  when  most  wanted.  It  was 
somewhat  remarkable,  that  neither  the  commodore, 
who  had  been  twenty  years  in  the  navy,  nor  any 
of  his  lieutenants,  though  seven  in  number,  and 
some  like  himself  familiar  with  almost  all  seas,  had 
ever  before  been  up  the  English  channel ;  nor  had 
the  sailing  master,  or  mate.  Cowes  or  Portsmouth, 
was  the  port  we  desired  to  make.     Our  midship- 


II' 


(i       % 


isn.] 


COURT   OF   LONDON. 


men,  two  in  particular,  whose  names  I  reniLiuber, 
young  Powell  of  Virginia,  and  Cooper  of  New 
York,  would  climb  up  to  the  truck  of  the  main- 
mast ;  but  neither  land,  nor  light-house,  nor  pilot- 
boat,  nor  any  thing  could  be  descried.  All  was  a 
dreary  waste.  Throughout  the  fourteenth  and 
fifteenth,  the  commodore's  anxiety  was  very  great, 
especially  by  night,  for  the  weather  was  rough, 
and  he  believed  we  were  close  by  the  coast.  The 
ship  was  chiefly  steered  by  soundings ;  her  situa- 
tion being  ascertained  from  the  appearances  of  the 
soil  which  the  lead  brought  up ;  a  resource  when 
other  guides  of  navigation  fail,  but  tedious  and  apt 
to  prove  deceptive. 

At  length,  early  in  the  morning  of  the  sixteenth, 
all  uneasiness  was  dispelled.  The  first  gleams  of 
light  disclosed  land.  It  was  a  long  blue  ridge, 
rising  out  of  the  water.  A  gun  was  fired,  which 
brought  a  pilot.  We  learned,  as  he  stepped  on 
board,  that  the  land  before  us  was  the  Isle  of 
Wight,  and  that  we  were  near  Cowes.  All  ey^*^ 
were  upon  him  as  he  passed  along  the  deck.  The 
first  person  that  comes  on  ship-board  after  a  voy- 
age, seems  like  a  new  link  to  human  existence. 
When  he  took  his  station  at  the  helm,  I  heard  the 
commodore  ask  how  the  Needles  bore.    "  A-head^ 


Pit 


4 

i 


32 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1817. 


norih^''  he    answered.      Do    you   take    the   ship 

through  them  ?    "  ^^e."     Does  the  wind  set  right, 

and  have  you  enough  ?     "  Aye^''    This  closed  all 

dialogue,  as  far  as  I  heard.     He  remained  at  his 

post  giving  his  laconic  orders.     In  good  time  we 

approached  the  Needles.     The  spectacle  was  grand. 

Our  officers  gazed  in  admiration.     The  very  men, 

who  swarmed  upon  the  deck,  made  a  pause  to  look 

up  to  the  giddy  height.     The  most  exact  steering 

seemed  necessary  to  save  the  ship  from  the  sharp 

rocks  that  compress  the  waters  into  the  narrow 

strait   below.     But    she    passed    easily  through. 

There  is  something  imposing  in  entering  England 

by  this  access.    I  afterward  entered  at  Dover,  in 

a  packet  from  Calais,  my  eye  fixed  upon  the  sentinels 

as  they  slowly  paced  the  heights;  their  muskets 

gleaming  in  the  sun.    But  those  cliffs,  bold  as  they 

are,    and  immortalized  by  Shakespeare,  did  not 

equal  the  passage  through  the  Needles.     There  was 

a  breathless  curiosity  also  in  the  first  approach, 

augmenting  its  intrinsic  grandeur. 

In  a  little  while  we  anchored  off  Cowes.  If  the 
Needles  were  a  grand  sight,  the  one  now  before  us 
was  full  of  beauty.  Castles,  cottages,  villas,  gar- 
dens, copses  of  tr*^es,  were  scattered  on  all  sides. 
When  we  left  our  own  country,  the  leaves  had 


faIJ€ 

alth< 

had 

to  b 

of  e 

mois 

part 

i] 


they 


was 


f  the 


)reus 


lar- 

Isides. 

had 


1817.] 


COURT    OF  LONDON. 


33 


fallen  and  the   grass  lost    its    green ;    but   now, 
although  the  season  was  more  advanced,  and  we 
had  got  to  a  higher  latitude,  a  general  verdure  was 
to  be  seen.     This  was  doubtless  the  effect  in  part 
of  exquisite  cultivation,  and  in  part  of  the  natural 
moisture    and    mildness   of  the   climate    of  this 
part  of  England.     As  we  looked  all  round,  after 
so    immediately    emerging    from    the   gloom    of 
the  ocean,  it  seemed  like  enchantment.     Boats 
came  off  from    the  shore,  to  look  at  our   ship ; 
the  shape  of  them,  the  persons  in  them,  the  dress 
and  countenances  of  the  latter — every  thing,  how- 
ever minute,  fixed  our  attention.     Our  consul  at 
Cowes  came  on  board,  and  some  oflficers  of  the 
port.    Three  pilots  also  came.    Between  these  and 
our  pilot,  words  were  soon  heard.     The  cause  was 
remarkable.    It  turned  out  that  our  pilot  was,  in 
fact,  no  pilot.     He  had  been  one,  but  his  branch 
was  taken  away  for  habitual  drunkenness.     Con- 
tinuing to  own  his  boat,  he  sailed  about  this  part 
of  the  channel  at  his  pleasure,  like  the  old  man  of 
the  sea.     Hearing  our  gun,  he  came  on  board,  and, 
making  the  most  of  our  being  a  foreign  ship,  cun- 
ningly resorted  to  the  exercise  of  his  old  craft. 
The  disappointed  pilots  declared,  and  our  consul 
rather  confirmed  what  they  said,  that,  at  the  mo- 
5 


'.I 


34 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1817. 


18] 


ment  of  their  dispute,  he  was  in  a  state  of  intoxica- 
tion ;  so  that,  we  were  then  first  made  acquainted 
with  the  fact  of  having  been  brought  through  the 
Needles  by  a  drunken  steersman!  It  appeared  sin- 
gular that  such  an  occurrence  should  have  happen- 
ed in  the  English  channel;  yet  so  it  was.    It  was 
hinted  that  he  had  so  good  a  tact  in  his  business, 
and  knew  that  part  of  the  coast  so  well,  that  he 
would  generally  steer  right  even  when  drunk.    Such 
was  the  lucky  accident  in  our  case,  and,  being  ig- 
norant, we  were  not  uneasy.     His   drunkenness 
taking  the  form  of  taciturnity,  he  escaped  detection 
in  the  eyes  of  strangers,  though  his  sulkiness  had 
not  been  unobserved.    The  others  stoutly  denied 
his  right  to  any  fees ;  but  as  the  fact  of  service  per- 
formed was  in  his  favour,  and  no  one  else  could 
claim  on  that  ground,  the  commodore  did  not  think 
that  it  rested  with  him  to  settle  points  of  law.    Our 
Palinurus  certainly  had  the  advantage  in  alertness, 
over  the  sleepy  set  who  would  have  robbed  him  of 
his  reward. 

"Cassio,  I  forgive  thee; 
But  never  more  be  officer  of  mine." 


LANl 

Is 

per  o] 
writte 
intervi 
terest. 
on  bo 
papers 
boldt, 
that  a 
for  the 
mark 
expres.^ 
feels, 
This  ri 
the  cas 
Englan 
hears  o 


;vi 


3jv 


I       1817.] 


':.i 


I 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


35 


CHAPTER    II. 


LANDING  AT  PORTSMOUTH,  AND  JOURNEY  TO  LONDON. 

I  STAID  on  ship-board  two  days,  waiting  the  pro- 
per order  from  London,  for  which  the  consul  had 
written,  to  have  my  baggage  passed.  During  this 
interval  the  surrounding  scene  lost  none  of  its  in- 
terest. It  was  further  enlivened  by  visiters  coming 
on  board  the  ship.  We  got  the  London  news- 
papers wet  from  the  press.  It  is  a  remark  of  Hum- 
boldt, that  no  language  can  express  the  emotion 
that  a  European  naturalist  feels  when  he  touches, 
for  the  first  time,  American  land.  May  not  the  re- 
mark be  reversed  by  saying,  that  no  language  can 
express  the  emotion  which  almost  every  American 
feels,  when  he  first  touches  the  shores  of  Europe. 
This  feeling  must  have  a  special  increase,  if  it  be 
the  case  of  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  going  to 
Eingland.  Her  fame  is  constantly  before  him;  he 
hears  of  her  statesmen,  her  orators,  her  scholars, 


\ 


r 
i 


36 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1817. 


her  philosophers,  her  divines,  her  patriots.  In  the 
nursery  he  learns  her  ballads.  Iler  poets  train  his 
imagination.  Her  language  is  his,  with  its  whole 
intellectual  riches,  past,  and  forever  newly  flowing ; 
a  tie,  to  use  Burke's  figure,  light  as  air,  and  unseen ; 
but  stronger  than  links  of  iron.  In  spite  of  political 
differences,  her  glory  allures  him ;  in  spite  of  hostile 
collision,  he  clings  to  lier  lineage.  After  Commodore 
Decatur's  capture  of  a  British  frigate,  during  the 
last  war,  some  one  asked  him  if  his  forefathers  were 
not  French ;  " no,  I  beg  pardon,"  he  answ ered,  with 
some  emphasis,  "  they  were  English^''  In  that  spirit, 
would  his  countrymen  generally  answer.  Walking 
the  deck  with  two  of  our  lieutenants  w  hile  sound- 
ing up  the  channel,  "think,"  said  one  of  them,  '•'•tJmt 
we  may  he  in  the  track  of  the  Armada;'^''  and  they 
talked  of  the  heroine-queen,  at  Tilbury.  These  are 
irrepressible  feelings  in  an  American.  His  native 
patriotism  takes  a  higher  tone  from  dwelling  on  the 
illustrious  parent  stock.  Places  and  incidents  that 
Englishmen  pass  by,  vividly  arrest  his  attention.  He 
sees  the  [Kist  in  conjunction  with  the  present;  three 
thousand  miles,  said  Franklin,  are  as  three  tiiousand 
years.  Intervention  of  space  seem:-  to  kindle  en- 
thusiasm, like  intervention  of  time.  Is  it  not  fit 
that  two  such  nations  sliould  be  friends?     Let  us 


I 


1817.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


37 


hope  so.  It  is  the  h<  pe  which  every  minister  from 
the  United  States  should  carry  with  liim  to  Eng- 
land ;  it  is  the  hope  in  which  every  British  minister 
of  state  should  meet  him.  If,  nevertheless,  rivalry 
is  in  the  nature  of  things,  at  least  let  it  be  on  fair 
principles;  let  it  be  generous,  never  paltry,  never 
malignant. 

The  order  for  m}  br  rgage  not  arriving  at  the 
time  expected,  I  landed  without  it.  Preferring  to 
land  at  Portsmouth,  the  boats  were  prepared,  and 
on  the  nineteenth  I  left  the  ship.  The  commodore 
and  some  of  his  officers  accompanied  me.  A  salute 
was  fired  as  on  embarking;  the  usual  ceremony 
when  our  ministers  are  received  on  board,  or  land- 
ed from,  the  national  ships.  Approaching  Ports- 
mouth, we  passed  numerous  vessels  of  war,  some 
lying  in  ordinary,  some  ready  for  sea.  There  were 
docks  and  arsenals,  and  store  houses,  and  batteries, 
and  fortifications.  The  day  was  fair,  and  wind 
fresh.  This  gave  animation  to  the  harbour  scene, 
swelling  the  sails  of  vessels  in  motion,  and  stream- 
ing out  the  colours  of  those  at  anchor.  It  was  a 
fine  naval  panorama.  Besides  formidable  rows  of 
line  of  battle  ships  and  frigates,  we  s;iw  transports 
crowded  with  troops.  I  had  before  seen  ports  alive 
with  tlie  bustle  of  trade;   but  never  one  so  frown- 


to 

I' 


38 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1817. 


ing  and  glistening  with  features  and   objects  of 
war. 

When  we  reached  the  shore,  tide-waiters  advan- 
ced to  take  possession  of  my  baggage.  They 
were  informed  of  my  public  character;  but  this  did 
not  turn  them  from  their  purpose.  The  national 
ship  from  which  I  had  debarked,  was  in  view ;  her 
colours  flying;  the  very  salute  had  been  heard. 
Still  they  alleged,  that  having  received  no  orders 
to  the  contrary,  they  must  inspect  my  bag- 
gage. I  said  to  Commodore  Stewart  that,  strictly, 
they  were  right,  and  directed  my  servant  to  deliver 
it.  There  was  but  little,  the  principal  part  having 
been  left  on  board  to  aw  ait  the  permit  of  exemption. 
It  might  have  been  supposed  that  these  anxious 
guardians  (^  the  revenue  would  have  satisfied  their 
sense  of  duty  by  a  merely  formal  examination  of 
what  was  delivered  so  readily.  Not  so;  carpet- 
bags were  ransacked ;  the  folds  of  linen  opened,  as 
if  Brussels  lace  had  been  hidden  in  them;  small 
portmanteaus  peered  into,  as  if  contraband  lurked 
in  every  corner.  Nothing  was  overlooked.  A  few 
books  brought  for  amusement  on  the  voyage,  the 
works  of  English  authors  reprinted  in  *he  United 
States,  were  taken  possession  of,  and  I  had  to  go 
on  without  them.    I  should  have  been  disposed  to 


1817.] 


COURT    OP    LONDON. 


39 


irked 
few 
,the 
Inited 
|togo 
ied  to 


.i« 


make  complaint  of  this  mock  official  fidelity  and 
subaltern  folly,  but  from  an  unwillingness  to  begin 
my  public  career  with  a  complaint;  and  I  remem- 
ber also  to  have  heard  Mr.  Adams  say,  that  when 
the  allied  sovereigns  visited  England  after  the  battle 
of  Waterloo,  their  baggage  was  inspected  at  Do- 
ver, the  order  for  exemption  having,  by  an  inadver- 
tence, not  been  sent.  There  is  no  privilege,  by 
positive  law,  of  a  foreign  minister's  effects  from  cus- 
tom house  examination ;  but  by  universal  comity,  it 
is  forborne.  The  exercise  of  such  a  claim  with  the 
privity  of  a  government,  would  become  an  affront. 
I  must  add,  that  the  order  for  the  full  delivery  of 
all  mine,  with  every  immunity,  arrived  at  Cowes 
soon  after  I  left  the  ship. 

I  proceeded  to  the  George  Inn  in  Portsmouth, 
where  the  commodore  and  his  officers  were  to  give 
me  the  favour  of  their  company  to  dinner.  Ar- 
rived there,  we  had  every  attention  from  the  master 
and  his  servants.  Comfortable  apartments  had  been 
provided,  and  we  found,  throughout,  that  careful 
anticipation  of  our  wants  and  orderly  arrangement 
of  every  thing,  for  which  we  had  understood  Eng- 
lish  inns  were  remarkable. 

Whilst  seated  round  our  fire  in  the  evening,  fa- 
tigued by  the  excitements  we  had  gone  through. 


tk-1 


1 


40  RESIDENCE    AT    THE  [1817. 

and  waiting  the  summons  to  dinner,  we  heard  bells. 
It  was  a  fine  chime,  to  which  we  all  listened,  my 
wife  being  fond  of  their  music.  Sometimes  the  sound 
grew  faint,  and  then,  from  a  turn  in  the  wind,  came 
back  in  peals.   We  knew  not  the  cause.   It  passed 
in  our  thoughts,  that  the  same  bells  might  have 
rung  their  hurras  for  the  victories  of  Hawke  and 
Nelson :  "  Perhaps,''^  said  one  of  the  party,  ^\for  Sir 
Cloudsley  ShovePs  toe."     Thus  musing,  an  unexpec- 
ted piece  of  intelligence  found  its  way  into  our  cir- 
cle.    We  were  given  to  understand,  that  they  were 
ringing  on  the  occasion  of  my  arrival;  a  compli- 
ment to  my  station  to  which  I  had  not  looked.   We 
went  in  to  our  first  dinner  in  England,  under  a  con- 
tinuation of  their  peals.     The  cloth  removed,  we 
had  a  glass  or  two  to  our  country  and  friends,  after 
which  we  returned  to  our  sitting  room.     When 
reassembled  there,  I  had  an  intimation  that  "  The 
Royal  Bell-ringers'''  were  in  waiting  in  the  hall,  de- 
sirous of  seeing  me.   They  did  not  ask  admittance, 
I  was  told,  but  at  my  pleasure.     I  directed  them 
to  be  shown  in  at  once,  beginning  now  to  under- 
stand the  true  spring  to  the  compliment.     Eight 
men  with  coats  reaching  down  to  their  feet,  here- 
upon slowly  entered.   They  ranged  themselves,  one 
after  another,   in  a  solemn  line   along  the  wall. 


hea 

add 

\       due 

safe 

ordi 

from 

from 

book 

like  { 

it  the 

minis 

forei^ 

how  I 

Magn 

cumei 

to  the 

fully  g 

tuity 

to  ha\ 

cumst 

my  fir 

On 

rough, 

Sir  Jai 

Sir  Ge 


-* 


The 

de- 
ince, 

lem 
ider- 

ight 
liere- 

one 
wall. 


4- 


1; 
I 


1817.] 


COURT  OP  LONDON. 


41 


Every  thing  being  adjusted,  the  spokesman  at  their 
head  broke  silence,  with  the  following  intelligible 
address.  He  said  that  they  had  come  "  with  their 
due  and  customary  respects,  to  wish  me  joy  on  my 
safe  arrival  in  old  England,  as  ambassador  extra- 
ordinary from  the  United  States,  hoping  to  receive 
from  me  the  usual  favour,  such  as  they  had  received 
from  other  ambassadors,  for  which  they  ha -3  their 
book  to  show,''''  Their  book  was  a  curiosity ;  it  looked 
like  a  venerable  heir  loom  of  office;  there  were  in 
it  the  names  of  I  know  not  how  many  ambassadors, 
ministers,  and  other  functionaries,  arriving  from 
foreign  parts,  throughout  the  lapse  of  I  know  not 
how  many  ages,  with  the  donations  annexed  to  each. 
Magna  cJiarta  itself  was  not  a  more  important  do- 
cument to  the  liberties  of  England,  than  this  book 
to  the  Royal  Bell-ringers  of  Portsmouth!  I  cheer- 
fully gave  to  the  good-humoured  fraternity,  the  gra- 
tuity which  their  efforts  in  their  vocation  appeared 
to  have  drawn  from  so  many  others  under  like  cir- 
cumstances. So,  and  with  other  incidents,  passed 
my  first  day  in  England. 

On  the  following  morning.  Admiral  Thornbo- 
rough,  the  admiral  in  command  at  Portsmouth, 
Sir  James  Yeo,  captain  in  the  British  navy,  and 
Sir  George  Grey,  chief  commissioner  of  the  dock 


?f* 


6 


If 


42 


RESIDENCE   AT   THE 


[1817. 


yard,  called  upon  me.    They  offered  their  con- 
gratulations on  my   arrival.    The  admiral    said, 
that  if  Commodore  Stewart  required  any  supplies 
for  his  ship,  every  facility  which  the  yard  afforded 
would  be  at  his  command.     He   added,  that  he 
would  be  happy  in  the  opportunity  of  showing  him 
the  hospitalities  of  the  port.     Sir   George   Grey 
expressed  his  regrets  that  he  had  not  known  of 
my  intention  to  land  at  Portsmouth,  saying  that 
he  would  have  sent  the  admiralty  yacht  to  the 
Franklin  to  bring  me,  my  family  and  suite,  on 
shore;  the  more  so,  as  the  day  was  blustering, 
and  he  feared  we  had  suffered  from  exposure  in 
the  ship's  boats,  the  distance  being  several  miles 
from  Cowes  to  Portsmouth.    I  made  the  acknow- 
ledgments which  these  courtesies  demanded.     If 
but   the  natural  offspring  of  the  occasion,  they 
tended  to  show,  that  whatever  had  been  the  con- 
duct of  the  subordinates  of  the  custom  house,  those 
who  stood  higher  were  likely  to  be  actuated  by 
different  feelings  towards  a  stranger  clothed  with 
the  public  character  that  I  bore.     I   estimated 
properly  Sir  George  Grey's  offer,  but  had  a  silent 
feeling  that  would  have  made  me  prefer,  under  any 
circumstances,  the  landing  from  the  ship's  boats, 
with  my  country's  flag  at  the  stern. 


I 


18 

sisi 

Ta 

wh( 

tol 

ser^ 

oft] 

The 

the  ( 

awa: 

is  a 

mor£ 

paid, 

poss( 

civilii 

gratit 

Ports] 

day, 

like  a 

I  w 

the  r( 

populc 

needs 

case  ii 

along 

so  ren 


1817.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


43 


At  noon  I  set  out  for  London.  My  family  con- 
sisted of  my  wife,  four  small  children,  young  Mr. 
Tayloe  of  Washington,  attached  to  my  legation, 
whose  name  I  canno^  '"mention  without  an  allusion 
to  his  amiable  and  gentlemanly  quahties,  and  three 
servants.  As  the  post  chaises  drew  up,  the  master 
of  the  inn  returned  me  his  thanks  for  my  custom. 
The  servants  also  formed  a  line  on  each  side  of 
the  entry,  thanking  us  as  we  passed  along.  I  am 
aware  that  this  had  all  been  paid  for ;  still,  there 
is  a  charm  in  civility.  Money  owing,  says  the 
moralist  of  Tusculanum,  is  not  paid,  and  when 
paid,  is  not  owing;  but  he  who  pays  gratitude 
possesses  it,  and  he  who  possesses,  pays  it.  So, 
civility  for  the  small  things  of  life,  is  a  species  of 
gratitude  which  we  like.  We  were  soon  out  of 
Portsmouth,  and  went  as  far  as  Godalming  that 
day,  a  distance  of  thirty-eight  miles,  over  roads 
like  a  floor. 

I  was  surprised  at  the  few  houses  along  or  near 
the  road  side.  I  had  been  full  of  the  idea  of  the 
populousness  of  England,  and  although  I  must 
needs  have  supposed  that  this  could  not  be  the 
case  in  every  spot,  it  had  not  occurred  to  me,  that 
along  such  a  high  road  I  should  find  the  first  and 
so  remarkable  an    exception.     We   rarely    met 


44 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1817. 


wagons,  carriages,  or  vehicles  of  any  sort,  except 
stage  coaches.  We  did  not  see  a  single  person  on 
horseback.  The  stage  coaches  illustrated  what  is 
said  of  the  excellence  of  that  mode  of  travelling  in 
England.  These,  as  they  came  swiftly  down  the 
hills,  or  were  met  in  full  trot  upon  the  plains,  the 
horses  fine,  the  harness  bright,  and  the  inside  and 
out  filled  with  passengers,  not  only  men  but  women, 
all  well  dressed,  crowding  the  tops,  had  a  bold  and 
picturesque  appearance.  The  few  peasants  whom 
we  saw,  were  fully  and  warmly  clad.  They  wore 
breeches  and  stockings,  a  heavy  shoe,  which,  lacing 
over  the  ankle,  made  the  foot  look  clumsy;  a  linen 
frock  over  the  coat,  worked  with  plaits,  and  stout 
leather  gloves,  which  they  kept  on  while  working. 
They  were  generally  robust  men,  short,  and  of  fair 
complexions.  We  passed  a  wagon  of  great  size. 
It  had  no  pole,  but  double  shafts,  with  a  horse  in 
each,  and  a  line  of  four  horses  before  each  shaft 
horse,  making  ten  in  all,  of  enormous  size.  Their 
tails  were  uncut,  and  long  shaggy  hair  hung  about 
their  pasterns.  The  wagon  was  loaded  with  bales 
pile  upon  pile,  higher  than  I  had  ever  seen.  Our 
postillions  called  it  the  Portsmouth  heavy  wagon. 
We  afterwards  saw  others  of  like  size  and  construc- 
tion, drawn  by  hke  horses,  loaded  with  the  produce 


■1 

'JO- 


181 

of  a 

enoi 

sleel 

gaur 

fast. 

their 

In  g 

subdi 

ness  ; 


>    every 
In: 
tunitic 
of  En 
much 
Ports* 
of  twe 
of  inh 
Lancai 
portior 
all  En^ 
lation. 
seems 
ficult  t( 
we  mei 
peopled 
to    furt 


*f^* 


817. 

:cept 

mon 

lat  is 

ngin 

n  the 

s,  the 

e  and 

Dmen, 

A  and 

whom 
wore 

lacing 

El  hnen 

I  stout 

>rking. 
of  fair 

it  size. 

orse  in 
shaft 
Their 
about 
bales 
Our 
agon, 
struc- 
roduce 


1817.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


45 


1 

1 


of  agriculture.  Whilst  the  draught  horses  were  thus 
enormous,  and  rough,  and  the  stage  coach  horses 
sleek  and  beautiful,  our  post  horses  were  small, 
gaunt  and  unsightly,  but  with  great  capacity  to  go 
fast.  I  was  looking  for  a  favourable  change  in 
their  appearance  at  every  relay,  without  finding  it. 
In  good  time  I  discovered,  that  the  principle  of 
subdivision  applied  to  horses  with  as  much  strict- 
ness as  to  every  thing  else,  in  England,  there  being 
every  variety  for  work  and  luxury. 

In  regard  to  population,  I  had  subsequent  oppor- 
tunities of  perceiving,  that  there  were  other  parts 
of  England,  and  of  greater  extent,  where  it  was 
much  more  thin  than  was  generally  the  case  from 
Portsmouth  to  Godalming.  London,  and  a  circuit 
of  twenty  miles  round,  give  more  than  two  millons 
of  inhabitants ;  Yorkshire  gives  one  million,  and 
Lancashire  about  one  million.  Hence,  these  three 
portions  of  territory,  so  small  when  compared  with 
all  England,  embrace  nearly  one-third  of  her  popu-^ 
lation.  This  concentration  in  particular  districts, 
seems  to  have  left  others  relatively  bare.  It  is  dif- 
ficult to  believe  under  such  facts,  whatever  theories 
we  meet  with,  that  England  is  at  present  over- 
peopled. Her  soil,  it  would  seem,  must  be  open 
to   further  meliorations,  which,   under  improved 


f  M 


r 


"*'"«*> 


'*?.' 


'^;- 


46 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1817. 


sybtems  of  policy  and  agriculture,  with  new  means 
of  internal  communication,  great  as  are  already 
the  latter,  will  in  time  not  distant  carry  her  popu- 
lation as  far  above  what  it  now  is,  as  it  now  ex- 
ceeds what  it  was  at  the  period  of  her  early  kings. 
If  we  take  Holland  as  an  example  of  successful  in- 
dustry and  art,  where  a  nation  has  been  compelled 
to  struggle  against  the  disadvantages  of  a  stinted 
soil,  there  are  great  portions  of  territory  in  Eng- 
land still  like  a  desert,  which  after  ages  may  be- 
hold productive. 

At  Godalming,  we  lost  our  mocking-bird.  We 
had  brought  it  as  a  mark  of  remembrance  from  Mr. 
Crawford,  formerly  minister  of  the  United  States  in 
France,  to  Lady  Auckland,  for  some  kindnesses 
received  from  her  in  England.  We  nursed  it  with 
all  care  during  the  voyage.  It  drooped  however  at 
sea,  and  the  night  being  cold  at  Godahning,  it  died. 
This  bird  is  small,  and  has  no  beauty  of  plumage. 
Its  notes  are  as  melodious  as  the  nightingale's,  and 
of  more  variety ;  but  I  doubt  if  they  can  ever  be 
drawn  out  in  their  full  extent  and  richness,  except 
in  its  native  climates.  Mr.  Fox,  as  we  learn  in  the 
introduction  to  his  James  II.,  thought  the  notes  of 
the  nightingale  sprightly  rather  than  plaintive,  and 
refers  to  the  "Floure  and  Leafe"  of  Chaucer,  as 


1817 

show 
he  sf 
Then 
ingak 

'^   the  a 
M  man, 


817. 


1817.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


47 


leans 
•eady 
popu- 
w  ex- 
iings. 
ful  in- 
pelled 
stinted 
L  Eng- 
ay  be- 

.    We 

Dm  Mr. 

^ates  in 
nesses 
it  with 
ever  at 
it  died, 
umage. 
s,  and 
ver  be 
except 
1  in  the 
lotes  of 
ve,  and 


showing  him  to  have  been  of  that  opinion,  when 
he  speaks  of  its  merry  song.  Mr.  Fox  even  calls 
Theocritus  to  his  aid,  who  makes  the  yellow  night- 
ingale "/nV/  her  minstrelsey^''  in  notes  responsive  to 
the  cheerful  blackbirds.  Could  this  British  states- 
man, who  in  the  midst  of  his  graver  pursuits  was 
so  alive  to  the  beauties  of  poetry  and  nature,  have 
heard  the  American  mocking-bird  '•^warbling  its 
wood  notes  wild^^''  he  would  at  one  moment  have 
been  cheered  by  their  sprightliness ;  the  next, 
soothed  by  their  melancholy. 

On  the  morning  of  the  twenty-first,  we  proceed- 
ed on  our  journey.  Every  thing  now  began  to 
wear  a  different  aspect ;  the  change  was  more  de- 
cided after  passing  Guilford,  the  county  town  of 
Surry.  We  saw  evidences  of  a  more  abundant 
population,  and  advanced  state  of  husbandry. 
The  season  did  not  show  the  country  in  its  best 
dress  ;  but  we  were  enabled  to  see  more  of  it  by 
the  very  absence  of  the  foliage.  Farms  and  com- 
mon dwellings,  with  fields  beautifully  divided  and 
enclosed;  country  seats,  with  lodges  and  stately 
gates  of  iron  marking  the  entrance  to  them  ;  lawns 
fresh  and  verdant,  though  it  was  the  winter  solstice ; 
parks  and  pleasure  grounds  munificently  enclosed ; 
ancient  trees  in   avenues,  standing  in  copses,  or 


< 

m 

r 
i 


f<-f 


48 


RESIDENCE   AT   THE 


[1817. 


shooting   up  among  the  hedges,  with  shrubbery 
tastefully  arranged  in  gardens,  and  vines  and  flow- 
ers clustering  about  the  houses,  were  among  the 
objects  that  rose  in  succession  as  we  passed  along. 
We  put  frequent  questions  to  the  postillions,  but 
they  could  tell  us  httle.     In  one  instance,  we  rode 
I  remember  for  several  successive  miles  along  a 
high  brick  wall  which  enclosed  part  of  the  grounds 
of  a  country  seat,  the  name,  or  ownership  of  which 
we  could  not  then  learn.    The  eye  was  constantly 
occupied,  none  of  us  ever  having  before  been  in 
Europe.     As  we  got  nearer  to  London,  indications 
multiplied  of  what  b  .d  been  effected  by  time  and 
art  and  wealth  to  fill  up  its  vast  environs.    Unlike 
the  approaches  to  Rome,  some  of  which  are  said 
to  be  at  the  present  day  through  partial  desola- 
tion, all  within  our  view  grew  more  and  more  in- 
stinct with  life ;  until  at  length,  evening  coming  on, 
at  first  villages,  then  rows  of  buildings,  and  people, 
and  twinkling  lights,  and  all  kinds  of  sound,  gave 
token  that  the  metropolis  was  close  by.     We  en- 
tered it  by  Hyde  Park  corner,  passing  througli 
Piccadilly  and  Bond  street,  beholding  the  moving 
crowds  which  now  the  town  lights  revealed.     Ano- 
ther turn  brought  us  into  Conduit  street,  v/hcrc 
rooms  had  been  engaged  for  our  accommodation. 


I 


18] 

In 

Cut 

of] 

who 

was 

jorl 


1817. 


1817.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


49 


bbery 

flow- 
ig  the 
along. 
IS,  but 
e  rode 
long  a 
rounds 
f  which 
istantly 
been  in 
ications 
ime  and 

UnUke 
tire  said 

desola- 


In  a  little  while  we  proceeded  to  the  house  of  Ross 
Cuthbert,  Esquire,  in  Gloucester  Place,  a  gentleman 
of  Lower  Canada,  married  to  one  of  my  sisters,  at 
whose  hospitable  table  we  dined ;  where  also  it 
was  my  fortune  to  meet  another  sisier,  wife  of  Ma- 
jor Manners  of  the  British  army. 


50 


JIESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1817. 


CHAPTER    III. 

FIRST    INTERVIEW    WITH    LORD    CASTLEREAGH.       FIRST 
APPEARANCES    OF    LONDON. 

December  22.  Address  a  note  to  Lord  Castle- 
reagh,  the  English  secretary  of  state  for  foreign 
affairg,  informing  him  of  my  arrival  in  capacity  of 
envoy  extraordinary  and  minister  plenipotentiary 
from  the  United  States,  at  the  British  court.  I  ask 
when  I  may  have  the  honour  of  waiting  upon  him. 
He  immediately  replies,  that  he  will  be  happy  to  see 
me  at  the  foreign  office,  in  Downing  street,  to-mor- 
row at  four  o'clock. 

December  23.  Went  to  the  foreign  office.  A 
sentry  was  walking  before  the  door.  I  was  admit- 
ted by  a  porter,  and  shown  by  a  messenger  into  an 
ante-room.  Another  messenger  conducted  me  up- 
stairs to  Lord  Castlcreagh's  apartment.  First  sa- 
lutations being  over,  I  said  that  I  should  be  hap|)> 


■'i 


i8i: 

to  U 
deliv 
my 
hand( 
replic 
himsf 
expec 
not  h 
Brigh 
day   f 
I  said 
occasi 
V  o»  'd 
dir   I  :\ 
that  h( 
as  hav 
desired 
wisJi  w 
the  tra 
of  rcsul 
which 
he  mig 
huaincsi 
Hen 
f«or  in 
lie  had 


17. 


FIRST 


ni 


admit- 
1  into  an 
|mc  up- 
first  ?a- 
happ> 


1817.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


51 


to  learn  at  what  time  I  might  have  the  honour  of 
deHvcring  to  his  royal  highness  the  Prince  Regent, 
my  letter    of   credence  from   the    President.     I 
handed    his  lordship  a   copy  of  the   letter.     He 
replied  that  the  prince  was  at  Brighton;  that  he 
himself  was   going  there   on   the   day  following, 
expecting   to   be   absent   a   week  ;    that  he   did 
not  know  precisely  when  the  prince  would  leave 
Brighton,  but  was  sure  he  would  appoint  an  early 
day   for  receiving  me,  after  he   came   to   town. 
I  said,  that  his  royal  highness's  pleasure  on  the 
occasion,  would  be  mine.     His  lordship  begged  I 
wo>  M  consider  myself  free  to  call  upon  him,  imme- 
di.    I  ^  after  his  own  return  to  town ;    remarking 
that  he  would  consider  my  reception  by  the  prince 
as  having  taken  place,  if  there  were  any  subjects  I 
desired  to  broach  beforehand.     He  added,  that  his 
wish  would  invariably  be,  to  give  every  facility  to 
the  transaction  of  business  between  us,  in  the  hope 
of  results  satisfactory  to  both  countries;   for  all 
which  I  thanked  him.     He  also  said,  that  perhaps 
he  might  wish  to  converse  with  me,  on  matters  of 
business,  before  my  formal  reception. 

He  made  inquiries  for  Mr.  Adams,  my  predeces- 
sor in  the  mission,  and  President  Monroe,  whom 
he  had  also  known  in  Kngland.     He  spoke  of  the 


52 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1817. 


1817. 


i  ; 


prosperity  of  the  United  States,  which  he  said  he 
heard  of  with  pleasure;  remarking,  that  the  pros- 
perity of  one  commercial  nation  contributed  to  that 
of  others.  His  whole  reception  of  me  was  very 
conciliatoiy.  There  was  a  simplicity  in  his  man- 
ner, the  best  and  most  attractive  characteristic  of 
a  first  interview.     It  lasted  about  twenty  minutes. 

December  24.  Go  through  several  parts  of  the 
town ;  Bond  street,  Albemarle  street,  Berkeley 
square,  Piccadilly,  St.  James's  street  and  Park, 
Pall  Mall,  St.  James's  square,  the  Strand,  and  a 
few  others.  Well  dressed  persons,  men  and  wo- 
men, throng  them.  I  see  no  others  except  now 
and  then  a  solitary  beggar,  playing  upon  some  in- 
strument of  music,  with  which  he  begs  his  way 
along.  In  the  dresses  of  both  sexes,  black  predom- 
inates. It  is  indeed  nearly  universal.  This  pro- 
ceeds ^from  the  general  mourning  fc-r  the  Princess 
Charlotte,  late  heiress  apparent  to  the  throne,  who 
died  in  November.  The  roll  of  chariots  and  car- 
riages of  all  kinds,  from  two  until  past  four,  was 
incessant.  In  all  directions  they  were  in  motion. 
It  was  like  a  show — the  horses,  the  coachmen  with 
triangiilar  hats  and  tassels,  the  footmen  with  cock- 
ades and  canes — it  seemed  as  if  nothiuii  could  cx- 


i'  1 


this  gli 
ary  lini 
of  nos< 
walk,  i 
sacks,  I 
and  fat 
vvagonc 
more  lil 
ed  in  tl 
I  had  ai 
of  the 
cious,  n 
the  ric 
I  do  nc 
shops,  I 
.  monger."- 
in  the  lu 
king's  p 
nicnt,  fo 
of  one  oi 


% 


1817.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


53 


ceed  it  all ;  yet  I  was  told  that  the  sight  in  Hyde 
Park,  any  day  in  May  or  June,  was  more  striking ; 
and  that  if  it  happened  to  be  on  the  same  day  with 
the  Epsom  or  Ascot  races,  which  keep  the  roads 
alive  for  ten  miles  with  London  carriages,  a  stran- 
ger misses  none  from  the  Park.  Sometimes,  with 
this  glitter  of  private  equipages,  you  saw  a  station- 
ary line  of  hacks,  the  worn-down  horses  eating  out 
of  nose-bags;  and  sometimes,  at  a  slow,  tugging 
walk,  immense  wagons  filled  with  coals,  in  black 
sacks,  drawn  by  black  horses,  large  and  shaggy 
and  fat  as  those  in  the  Portsmouth  wagon;  the 
wagoners  also  having  their  laces  black,  so  as  to  look 
more  like  black  men  than  white.  I  am  disappoint- 
ed in  the  general  exterior  of  the  dwelling  houses. 
I  had  anticipated  something  l)ettcr  at  the  west  end 
of  the  town ;  more  synmietry ;  buildings  more  spa- 
cious, more  detached — denoting  the  residences  of 
the  richest  people  in  the  richest  city  in  Europe. 
I  do  not  yet  see  these ;  but  I  sec  haberdasher's 
shops,  poulterer's  shops,  the  leaden  stalls  of  fish- 
mongers, nnd  the  slaughtermg  blocks  of  butchers, 
in  the  near  vicinity  of  a  nobleiujui's  mansion  juid  a 
king's  palace.  This  may  be  necessary  or  conve-  f 
nicnt,  for  the  supplies  of  a  capital  too  large  to  admit 
of  one  or  more  conceni rated  maila  ts  ;  but  the  ima- 


54 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1817. 


gination  at  a  distance  pictures  something  different. 
Perhaps  it  is  to  give  a  hint  of  Enghsh  hberty ;  if 
so,  I  ought  to  be  the  last  to  find  fault.  Being  the 
day  before  Christmas,  there  was  more  display  in 
the  shops  than  usual.  I  did  not  get  back  until 
candle  light,  when  the  whole  scene  began  to  be  il- 
luminated. Altogether,  what  a  scene  it  was !  the 
shops  in  the  Strand  and  elsewhere,  where  every 
conceivable  article  lay  before  you ;  and  all  made 
in  England — which  struck  me  the  more,  coming  from 
a  country  where  few  things  are  made,  however  fo- 
reign commerce  may  send  them  to  us ;  then,  the 
open  squares  and  gardens,  adorned  with  shrubbery 
and  trees ;  the  parks  with  their  avenues  and  an- 
cient trees;  the  palisades  of  iron,  or  enclosures  of 
solid  wall,  wherever  enclosures  were  requisite ;  the 
people ;  the  countless  number  of  equipages  and  fine 
horses ;  the  gigantic  draught  horses ;  the  enormous 
coal  wagons — what  an  aspect  the  whole  exhibited ! 
what  industry,  what  luxury,  what  infinite  particu- 
lars, what  an  aggregate !  The  men  were  taller  and 
straiter  than  the  peasantry  I  had  seen.  The  linea- 
ments of  a  race  descend  like  their  language.  The 
people  I  met  constantly  reminded  me  of  those  of 
my  own  country ;  I  caught  the  same  expression — 
often  it  glided  by  in  complete  identity — my  ear 


1817.] 

took  i] 
butii 
planet, 
by  stra 

Dece 

shops  i 

not  see 

am  tem 

great  w] 

fully  out 

after  fou 

English  ( 

nipts  oui 

any  othe 

very  sho 

the  year 


1817.]  COURT  OF  LONDON.  55 

took  in  on  all  sides  accents  to  which  it  was  native; 
but  I  knew  no  one.  It  was  like  coming  to  another 
planet,  famiUar  with  voices  and  faces,  yet  encircled 
by  strangers. 


ie 

►m 

fo- 

;he 

iry 

in- 

of 
the 

nc 


December  31.  The  fog  was  so  thick  that  the 
shops  in  Bond  street  had  lights  at  noon.  I  could 
not  see  people  in  t^  street  from  my  windows.  I 
am  tempted  lo  dsk,  n^w  the  English  ever  became 
great  with  so  little  day  light ;  it  seems  not  to  come 
fully  out  until  nine  in  the  morning,  and  immediately 
after  four  it  is  gone.  King  Charles's  saying  of  the 
EjigHsh  climate,  is  often  brought  up;  that  it  inter- 
rupts out-door  labour  fewer  days  in  the  year  than 
any  other.  Did  he  remember  the  fogs,  and  how 
very  short  the  day  is,  for  labour  during  a  portion  of 
the  year  ? 


\ 


t 
i 


=%., 


56 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


.    CHAPTER  IV. 

-INTERVIEW  WITH  LORD  CASTLEREAGH SLAVES  CAR- 
RIED AWAY  FROM  THE  UNITED  STATES  CONTRARY 
TO  THE  TREATY  OF  GHENT EQUALIZATION  OF  TON- 
NAGE   DUTIES WEST    INDIA    TRADE.       MEMBERS   OF 

THE  BRITISH  AND  AMERICAN  CABINETS. 


January  3.  Waited  on  Lord  Castlereagh  at  ele- 
ven in  the  morning,  at  his  private  residence,  St. 
James's  square.  It  was  by  his  request,  in  a  note 
received  yesterday.  I  was  shown  into  a  room  near 
the  hall.  Family  portraits  were  on  one  side,  books 
on  another,  and  two  white  hull  dogs  of  the  breed 
they  call  king  Charles's,  lying  before  the  fire.  Con- 
tradicting their  looks,  they  proved  perfectly  good- 
natured.  In  a  few  minutes,  a  servant  conducted 
me  into  a  room  adjoining,  where  I  found  Lord  Cas- 
tlereagh. He  received  me  with  his  former  courtesy, 
renewing  his  obliging  inquiries  for  the  health  of  my 
family  after  our  winter's  voyage,  with  the  cxpres- 


8. 


1818.] 


COURT   OF   LONDON. 


57 


\RY 
ON- 
5   OF 


ele- 
St. 
note 
near 
ooks 
reed 
Con- 

00(1- 

ictetl 


sion  of  a  hope  that  the  fogs  of  London  had  not 
alarmed  us. 

He  informed  me  that  he  had  been  to  Brighton, 
and  dehvered  to  the  Prince  Regent  the  copy  of  my 
letter  of  credence,  and  that  the  prince  would  receive 
me  as  soon  as  he  came  to  town.  In  the  meantime, 
he  had  his  royal  highness's  commands  to  say,  that  I 
must  look  upon  myself  as  already,  in  effect,  accre- 
dited. 

He  proceeded  to  say,  that  if  there  were  any  sub- 
jects of  business  I  desired  to  mention,  he  would 
hear  me.  He  remarked,  that  it  had  been  his  habit  to 
treat  of  business  with  the  foreign  ministers  in  frank 
conversations ;  a  course  that  saved  time,  and  was 
in  other  ways  preferable,  as  a  general  one,  to  offi- 
cial notes.  He  intimated  his  wish  to  do  the  same 
with  me.  I  replied,  that  nothing  could  be  more 
agreeable  to  me  than  to  be  placed  upon  that  foot- 
ing with  him. 

The  way  being  opened  for  business,  I  entered 
upon  it.  I  said  there  were  two  subjects  that  my 
government  had  charged  me  to  bring  to  the  notice 
of  his  majesty's,  without  delay.  The  first  had  re- 
ference to  the  slaves  carried  off  by  English  ships 
from  the  United  States  at  the  close  of  the  late  war, 
in  contravention,  as  we  alleged,  of  the  treaty  of 
8 


c:..m 

,4 


f 

I?' 


r 
t 


58 


RESIDENCE  AT  THE 


[1818. 


Ghent.  This  subject,  already  discussed  between  the 
two  governments  without  prospect  of  an  agreement, 
was  exciting,  I  remarked,  an  interest  in  the  United 
States,  to  be  expected  where  the  property  and  rights 
of  a  large  class  of  their  citizens  w  ere  at  stake.  It 
had  therefore  been  made  my  earliest  duty  to  renew 
the  proposition  submitted  by  my  government,  and 
believed  to  point  to  the  best,  if  not  only  mode  of 
satisfactory  settlement.  The  proposition  was,  that 
the  question  be  referred  to  a  third  power,  to  be 
chosen  as  umpire  between  the  parties.  This  course 
was  recommended  by  the  example  of  provisions  in 
the  treaty  of  Ghent,  on  other  subjects  as  to  which 
differences  of  opinion  had  existed  between  the  two 
nations;  my  government  therefore  had  the  hope, 
that  Great  Britain  would  accede  to  it  in  this  in- 
stance also. 

His  lordship  said,  that  he  had  been  much  on  the 
continent  whilst  the  discussions  on  this  subject  were 
going  forward,  and  inquired  if  we  had  precise  in- 
formation as  to  the  number  of  slaves  carried  away. 
I  replied,  not  in  hand,  but  that  it  would  be  afibrded 
at  the  proper  time.  He  next  asked,  if  their  dis- 
persed situation  would  not  be  an  impediment  to  re- 
stitution. This  was  met  by  saying,  that  the  ow^ners 
would  look  to  a  pecuniary  equivalent.    Conversa- 


I  i 


tion  1 

concli 

Th( 

ventio 

July,  ] 

ciproc] 

the  vej 

Its  ope 

day  of 

therefo] 

instead 

to  levy 

and  Grc 

My  go^ 

opcratio 

and  waf 

tive  mea 

sition  in 

This 
no  opini( 
case,  to 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


59 


tion  was  continued  on  the  general  question.  In 
conclusion,  he  promised  to  bear  it  in  mind. 

The  next  subject  grew  out  of  the  commercial  con- 
vention between  the  two  countries,  of  the  third  of 
July,  1815.  This  convention  had  established  a  re- 
ciprocity of  duties  and  charges  of  all  kinds,  upon 
the  vessels  of  the  two  nations  in  each  others'  ports. 
Its  operation  was,  by  its  terms,  to  begin  from  the 
day  of  its  date.  The  rule  of  reciprocity  ought 
therefore  to  have  attached,  practically,  at  that  time ; 
instead  of  which,  each  nation  continued  for  a  while 
to  levy  the  duties  existing  before  the  convention, 
and  Great  Britain  had  not  yet  abolished  them  all. 
My  governmert  desired,  I  said,  to  carry  back  the 
operation  of  the  convention  to  the  day  of  its  date, 
a;nd  was  ready  to  give  this  rule  effect  by  retrospec- 
tive measures,  hoping  to  find  a  corresponding  dispo- 
sition in  his  majesty's  governmeLt. 

This  subject  being  new  to  his  lordship,  he  gave 
no  opinion  upon  it,  but  promised,  as  in  the  other 
case,  to  seek  the  necessary  lights  for  forming  one. 
I  may  state,  that,  in  the  end,  it  was  adjusted  to  the 
satisfaction  of  both  nations. 

The  foregoing  being  the  only  topics  which  it  fell 
within  my  purpose  to  bring  to  his  lordship's  notice 


m 


E^' 


'«i2'. 


-1 


60 


RESIDENCE  AT    THE 


[1818. 


at  this  time,  he,  in  turn,  drew  my  attention  to  a 
subject  on  which  he  desired  information. 

It  related  to  the  four  articles  submitted  by  the 
British  government  to  my  predecessor,  for  partially 
opening  the  West  India  trade  to  the  vessels  of  the 
United  States.  His  lordship  wished  to  know,  what 
probability  there  was  of  my  government  agreeing 
to  them. 

As  this  trade  enters  much  into  future  negotia- 
tions between  the  two  countries,  the  first  mention 
of  the  subject  calls  for  a  succinct  explanation  of  the 
general  question.  Pohticians  understand  it,  but 
there  are  others,  and  well  informed  persons,  who 
have  often  heard  of  it  without  having  any  precise 
idea  of  its  nature. 

It  stands  thus,  according  to  the  statement  on  the 
side  of  the  United  States.  They  contend  for  a  free 
intercourse  in  their  vessels,  with  the  British  West 
India  Islands,  and  British  colonies  on  the  continent 
of  North  America,  whenever  the  trade  to  either  is 
opened  at  all  by  Great  Britain  to  their  flag;  else 
they  say,  that,  by  navigation  acts  of  their  own,  they 
will  be  obliged  to  prohibit  the  trade  altogether. 
The  steady  policy  of  England  has  been,  to  secure 
as  large  an  employment  as  possible  of  her  own  ton- 
nage, in  carrying  on  her  commerce  with  the  rest  of 


the  w( 

mence 

ciple  < 

there  i 

all  had 

whole 

of  Asis 

in  Engl 

also  en 

tween 

nearly  i 

vious  n 

gation  a 

that  ot] 

the  sam 

she  obje 

since  th( 

mer  hav 

have  be( 

West  In 

her  righi 

any  fore 

not.    As 

there  wei 

own,  she 

States. 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


61 


the  world.  Her  celebrated  navigation  acts,  com- 
menced in  Cromwell's  time  and  adhered  to  in  prin- 
ciple ever  since,  whatever  occasional  departures 
there  may  have  been  from  them  in  practice,  have 
all  had  this  end  in  view.  They  provided,  that  the 
whole  trade  between  England,  and  the  continents 
of  Asia,  Africa  and  America,  should  be  carried  on 
in  English  ships,  manned  by  English  sailors.  They 
also  embraced  regulations  that  placed  the  trade  be- 
tween England  and  the  European  nations,  upon 
nearly  the  same  footing.  It  was  against  thp  pre- 
vious monopoly  of  Dutch  tonnage  that  these  navi- 
gation acts  were  levelled.  What  more  natura  V.  than 
that  other  nations  should  be  unwilling  to  i-'itness 
the  same  monopoly  in  the  tonnage  of  England,  that 
she  objected  to  in  that  of  the  Dutch;  more  especially 
since  the  foreign  and  colonial  dominions  of  the  for- 
mer have  swelled  to  an  extent  that  could  scarcely 
have  been  conceived  in  the  time  of  Cromwell?  The 
West  India  Islands  being  part  of  the  British  empire, 
her  right  to  interdict  all  trade  bet>\  oen  them  and 
any  foreign  country,  could  not  be  denied;  and  w^as 
not.  As  a  general  rule,  she  did  interdict  it.  But 
there  were  junctures  when,  to  advance  objects  of  her 
own,  she  would  throw  the  trade  open  to  the  United 
States.    When  she  did  this,  she  confined  it  to  her 


\ 


Cam 
muum 

a) 


'•Ni^'i 


.1 


n 

1 


62 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


1818. 


f 


own  ships,  manned,  as  by  law  they  must  be,  by  her 
own  sailors.  What  the  United  States  claimed  was, 
that,  whenever  the  trade  existed  at  all,  it  should  be 
carried  on  in  their  vessels,  manned  by  their  sailors, 
as  well  as  with  the  vessels  and  sailors  of  England. 
The  trade  once  opened,  the  United  States  were  par- 
ties to  it ;  and  thence  urged  their  right  to  a  voice  in 
its  regulation.  Thi^  was  their  doctrine.  It  had  been 
maintained  since  the  days  of  President  Wash- 
ington. It  contemplated  no  interference  with  the 
colonial  rights,  or  monopoly  of  Great  Britain.  It 
left  her  at  full  liberty  to  prohibit  the  importation 
into  her  colonies  of  whatever  articles  she  thought 
fit,  from  the  United  States ;  and  in  like  manner  to 
prohibit  cxportations.  It  only  asked  that  the 
commercial  intercourse,  of  whatever  nature  it 
might  bo,  that  was  once  opened  for  her  benefit,  or 
that  of  both  countries,  should  be  placed  upon  a 
footing  of  equality  as  to  the  vessels  and  sailors  of 
both.  This  had  lately  been  done  in  the  trade  be- 
tween the  United  States  and  the  European  domin- 
ions of  i^ritain,  by  the  convention  of  July  1815. 
TliJit  convention  itself,  unless  the  reciprocity  were 
e\t(Mule(l  to  the  West  Indies,  would  give  undue 
advantages  to  British  vessels.  The  latter  could 
sail,  under  its  enactments  from  Liverpool  to  New 


Englis 
Englis 


the  dii 

TheE 

tinguis 

three 

on  one 

Briti 

right  t 

and  th( 

fit.     T 

do,  not 

into  th( 

said,  til 

her  tra 

States, 

tages  ( 

That  si 

for  thei 

nients,  j 

of  her  g 

the  rigli 


»  # 


;r  to 
tho 
0  it 
[t,  or 
in  <a 
\s  of 
bc- 
imin- 
815. 

tould 


s 


1 


1818.]  COURT  OF  LONDON.  G3 

York,  for  example,  paying,  in  New  York,  none 
other  than  American  duties.  Thence,  under  the 
English  colonial  system,  they  could  sail  to  the 
English  West  Indies,  and  back  again  to  England ; 
making  profit  from  this  threefold  operation.  Ame- 
rican vessels,  on  the  other  hard,  were  confined  to 
the  direct  track  between  New  Y^ork  and  Liverpool. 
The  British  ship,  as  was  well  expressed  by  a  dis- 
tinguished American  Senator,  could  sail  on  the 
three  sides  of  the  triangle;  the  American,  only 
on  one. 

Britain  on  her  part  alleged,  that  she  had  the 
right  to  regulate  the  trade  between  her  colonies 
and  the  rest  of  the  world  in  all  respects  as  she  saw 
fit.  This  she  declared  it  was  proper  she  should 
do,  not  only  as  regarded  the  commodities  entering 
into  the  trade,  but  the  vessels  carrying  them.  She 
said,  that  to  assent  to  the  basis  of  reciprocity  in 
her  trade  between  these  ishinds  and  the  United 
States,  would  give  to  the  latter  inherent  advjni- 
tages  owing  to  tluMr  proximity  to  tlie  isljinds. 
Tliat  she  maintained  the  islands  at  great  expense 
for  their  civil  governments  and  mihtary  estabhsh- 
ments,  and  tliat  on  these  grounds,  as  well  as  that 
of  her  general  sovereignty  over  them,  not  only  had 
the  right,  but  held  it  necessary  to  her  iust  uiten.'sts 


64 


RESIDENCE    AT   THE 


[1818. 


to  employ,  chiefly,  if  not  exclusively,  her  own  ves- 
sels and  seamen  in  the  trade,  whenever  opened,  no 
matter  to  what  extent,  or  on  what  inducements. 
Such,  briefly,  was  the  British  doctrine.  It  will  come 
into  view  again. 

I  will  here  subjoin,  as  not  out  of  place,  a  brief 
commentary  upon  the  original  navigation  act  of 
England,  passed  by  the  Conmionwealth  parliament, 
in  1G52.  It  is  by  Jenkinson,  from  his  woik  on 
treaties.  "  Critics  in  commerce  reason  variously,^" 
says  ho,  "  on  the  benefits  or  disadvantages  of  tJiis  act. 
Those  who  argue  in  its  disfavour^  reason  on  the  gene- 
ral principle  of  its  being  an  error  in  politics  to  inter- 
rupt the  free  course  of  commerce  by  any  kind  of  pro- 
hibitions whatsoever  ;  which  is  generally  true^  and 
would  be  always  so,  could  one  be  assured  of  constant 
universal  amity.  But  as  that  is  very  far  from  being 
the  case,  the  exception  of  the  general  rule  in  this  case 
holds  good^  since  nothing  is  more  clear ^  than  that  those 
who  employ  most  ships  will  have  most  seamen,  and 
consequently  be  best  enabled  to  com  mand  the  sea.  ft 
was  but  too  evident  by  this  short  tear  [^JromwclRswith 
Ilollarit!]  how  near  a  match  for  us  the  Dutch  were, 
and  continued  so  for  some  years  after;  and  had  not 
this  act  l)€en  made,  would  very  probably  before  this 
time  have  been  too  potent  for  us,  as  they  would  have 


1 


1 


1818.] 


COURT    OF   LONDON. 


65 


case 


those 


Iwith 


had  the  gross  of  the  European  seamen  in  their  service ; 
so  that  the  act,  notwithstanding  some  inconveniences  it 
might  produce  in  point  of  commerce,  was  a  very  happy 
thought  in  the  making,  and  shows  our  judgment  in 
its  being  continued,'''' 

This  celebrated  act  may  be  said  to  have  chang- 
ed the  maritime  condition  of  the  world.  It  con- 
tinues to  this  day  to  affect  the  legislation  of  the 
United  States. 

The  four  articles  of  which  Lord  Castlereagh 
spoke,  reduced  to  their  essence,  may  be  described 
thus: — The  first  extended  to  the  United  States, 
the  provisions  of  certain  Free  Port  acts,  as  they 
were  called,  authorizing  a  trade  in  the  articles 
which  they  enumerated,  between  certain  specified 
ports  of  the  British  West  Indies  and  the  colonies 
of  European  nations,  in  vessels  having  only  one 
deck.  The  second  made  a  special  provision  for 
the  trade  between  the  United  States  and  the  island 
of  Bermuda,  in  a  larger  list  of  articles,  and  without 
limiting  the  size  of  the  vessel.  The  third  allowed 
cotton  and  tobacco  to  he  imported  from  the  Ignited 
States  in  their  own  vessds  to  Turk's  Island,  and 
salt  to  be  taken  away  from  tlint  island,  also  in  their 
vessels.  The  fourth  aimed  at  regulating  the  in- 
tercourse, though  uridcr  nianv  restrictions,  between 


< 

ISC!     * 


n 
»« 


i 


9 


66  RESIDENCE    AT    THE  [1818. 

the  United  States  and  the  British  continental 
colonies  in  America,  adjoining  the  dominions  of 
the  former. 

To  his  lordship's  inquiry  as  to  the  probability  of 
my  government  agreeing  to  these  articles,  I  re- 
plied, that  the  President,  when  I  left  Washington, 
had  them  under  consideration ;  but  I  owed  it  to 
candour  to  say,  that  there  was  little  likelihood  of 
their  being  accepted,  so  far  did  they  fall  short  of 
the  reciprocity  desired.  He  afterwards  inquired 
of  what  nature  would  be  our  counter-projet,  in  the 
event  of  their  rejection.  I  said,  one  that  would 
open  this  trade  fully,  and,  above  all,  give  to  British 
vessels  no  privileges  of  any  kind  whatever,  direct 
or  incidental,  over  the  vessels  of  the  United  States. 
The  latter  were  ready  to  grant,  in  their  ports,  to 
British  vessels  coming  from  the  islands,  all  the  pri- 
vileges which  their  own  vessels  enjoyed;  and 
could  not  be  content  with  less  to  their  vessels,  in 
the  ports  of  the  islands.  His  lordship  here  spoke 
generally  of  the  colonial  system  of  Britain.  He 
said  it  was  interwoven  with  her  whole  commercial 
code,  and  code  of  navigation ;  and  that  she  owed 
it  to  interests  which  she  believed  to  be  important 
in  both  connexions,  to  adhere  to  the  system  in  the 
main,  however  willinjj  to  submit  to  occasional  or 


- 


!     I 


adopt 

ing  ir 

Congr 

wound 

the  na 

comple 

part   c 

regret 

mainta 

cult  or 

it.     Su 

him. 

Befo 
holiday 
they  w 
of  some 
of  an  € 
their  ac 
his  hou? 
I  will 
those  w 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


0 


67 


wed 

tant 

the 

I  or 


I 

5 


If 

i 


partial  relaxtions.  I  rejoined,  that,  with  whatever 
reluctance  the  United  States  would  adopt  the 
policy  of  closing  the  trade  altogether,  in  the  con- 
tinued absence  of  the  reciprocity  for  Avhich  they 
contended,  they  would  at  last  be  compelled  to 
adopt  it,  in  necessary  justice  to  their  own  navigat- 
ing interests.  I  referred  him  to  some  acts  of 
Congress  already  passed  with  that  intent.  He 
wound  up  by  remarking,  that  Britain,  considering 
the  nature  of  her  colonial  system,  had  no  right  to 
complain  of  measures  of  that  character  on  the 
part  of  the  United  States,  however  she  might 
regret  them;  nor  would  she  complain.  She  had 
maintained  it  so  long,  that  she  would  find  it  diffi- 
cult on  that  as  well  as  other  accounts,  to  change 
it.  Such  was  the  general  outline  of  what  fell  from 
him. 

Before  I  came  away,  he  said,  that  the  Christmas 
holidays  had  scattered  the  members  of  the  cabinet ; 
they  were  chiefly  in  the  country ;  on  the  return 
of  some  of  them  to  town,  he  would  avail  himself 
of  an  early  opportunity  of  enabling  me  to  make 
their  acquaintance  by  meeting  them  at  dinner  at 
his  house. 

I  will  use  this  occasion  to  givo  the  names  of 
those  who  composed  the  cabinet.     They  were  as 


(■■i-s>i  «r* 


3^ 


:1 


¥: 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


follow : — the  Earl  of  Liverpool,  first  lord  of  the  trea- 
sury, and  prime  minister;  Lord  Eldon,  lord  chan- 
cellor; the  Earl  of  Harrowby,  lord  president  of  the 
council ;  the  Earl  of  Westuioreland,  lord  privy  seal ; 
Lord  Sidmouth,  secretary  of  state  for  the  home 
department ;  Lord  Castlereagh,  secretary  of  state 
for  foreign  affairs ;  Earl  Bathurst,  secretary  of  state 
for  the  colonial  department ;  Mr.  Vansittart,  chan- 
cellor of  the  exchequer ;  Lord  Melville,  first  lord 
of  the  admiralty ;  the  Earl  of  Mulgrave,  master 
general  of  the  ordnance ;  Mr.  Canning,  president 
of  the  board  of  control  for  the  aflfairs  of  India ; 
Mr.  Wellesley  Pole,  master  of  the  mint,  and  Mr. 
C.  B.  Bathurst,  chancellor  of  the  duchy  of  Lancas- 
ter.   These  comprehended  the  whole  list  on  my 
arrival  in  England.     No  other  officers  of  the  go- 
vernment, however  high  in  station,  were  then  of 
the  cabinet.    The  secretary  of  war,  was  not ;  nor 
the  attorney  general.     The  absence  of  the  former, 
I  could  not  well  explain,  although  the  colonial  se- 
cretary acted  in  the  concerns  of  war  at   cabinet 
councils,  seeing  that  the  navy  had  a  stated  repre- 
sentative in   those  councils.     And   was   not   the 
army   entitled    to  equal  consideration?     I   could 
even  less  explain   the  exclusion  of  the   attorney 
general.     No  acts  of  government  in  a  free  countiy. 


1 


i 


I    1818.; 

t 

j     are  ir 

trols  e 

that  til 

ry  adv 

legal  i 

compli( 

free  go 

still  sei 

attorne 

Durii 

at  the  I 

unchan^ 

new  apf 

Duke  of 

the  ordn 

Lord  Sic 

and  was 

Pole  ga^ 

situation 

created  '. 

went  out 

Lancaste 

latter  bei 

title   of 

f^ord  Goc 

place.    JV 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


69' 


)uld 
[ncy 


are  independent  of  law ;  it  fixes,  regulates,  con- 
trols every  thing.  Hence,  I  should  have  inferred, 
that  this  officer  would  have  been  one  of  the  prima- 
ry advisers  of  the  crown.  I  was  aware  of  the  high 
legal  functions  of  the  lord  chancellor ;  but  in  the 
complicated  and  daily  workings  of  the  machine  of 
free  government  throughout  a  vast  empire,  I  could 
still  see  room  for  the  constar^  presence  of  the 
attorney  general  in  the  cabinet. 

During  my  residence  of  more  than  seven  years 
at  the  English  court,  this  administration  remained 
unchanged.  There  were  resignations  that  led  to 
new  appointments,  and  some  transpositions.  The 
Duke  of  Wellington  was  made  master  general  of 
the  ordnance,  on  the  resignation  of  Lord  Mulgrave.- 
Lord  Sidmouth  retired  from  the  home  department^ 
and  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Peel.  Mr.  Wellesley 
Pole  gave  up  the  mastership  of  the  mint,  for  a 
situation  nearer  the  person  of  the  king,  and  was 
created  Lord  Maryborough.  Mr.  C.  B.  Bathurst 
went  out  of  the  chancellorship  of  the  duchy  of 
Lancaster,  into  which  Mr.  Vansittart  passed ;  the 
latter  being  also  called  to  the  peerage,  under  the 
title  of  Lord  Bexley.  Mr.  Robinson,  afterwards 
Lord  Goderich,  was  appointed  to  Mr.  Vansittart's 
place.     Mr.  Canning  became  secretary  of  state  for 


'«Wiil 


70 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


foreign  aftairs  on  the  death  of  Lord  Castlereagh, 
which  occurred  soon  after  the  latter  succeeded  to 
the  title  of  Marquis  of  Londonderry.  Mr.  C.  W. 
W.  Wynn  was  made  president  of  the  board  of 
control,  in  place  of  Mr.  Canning.  Mr.  Wallace, 
afterwards  Lord  Wallace,  became  master  of  the 
mint;  and  Mr.  Huskisson,  appointed  president  of 
the  board  of  trade,  was  called  tc  t  seat  in  the 
cabinet,  his  office  not  having  before  been  of  that 
dignity. 

None  of  the  new  appointments  were  understood 
to  have  grown  out  of  any  want  of  concord  in  the 
body.  The  policy,  as  the  premiership,  of  Lord 
Liverpool,  was  maintained.  He  was  placed  in  that 
post  by  the  Prince  Regent,  in  1812.  The  age  and 
infirmities  of  the  reigning  monarch,  had  led  parlia- 
ment, two  years  before,  to  establish  a  regency  in  the 
person  of  the  Prince  of  Wales.  The  Regent  found, 
and  kept,  Mr.  Percival  at  the  head  of  affairs,  until 
he  perished  by  assassination.  It  was  then  that 
Lord  Liverpool  was  called  to  the  helm.  History 
will  view  his  administration  as  one  of  renown  to 
England.  In  the  exertions  of  Europe  against 
Napoleon  during  the  memorable  period  from 
1812  until  181.5,  the  part  which  she  acted  by 
her  arms  and  pecuniary  resources,  is  before  the 


world. 

the  a( 

mentoi 

of  We 

in  Port 

thanks 

the  nal 

glory. 

the  Hoi 

treaties 

this  gre 

securing 

member 

joy ;  pai 

England 

powerin< 

Castlere; 

speeches 

fated  the 

The  fam( 

confidenc 

whose  ba 

Lord  J 

•'^o  acquii 

character 

knowing 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


71 


world.  Both  were  directed  by  this  ministry,  until 
the  achievement  at  Waterloo  closed  the  mo- 
mentous struggle.  It  was  there  that  the  Duke 
of  Wellington,  after  numerous  victories  in  India, 
in  Portugal,  in  Spain,  that  had  earned  the  reiterated 
thanks  of  parliament  and  ardent  applauses  of 
the  nation,  ascended  to  the  pinnacle  of  military 
glory.  One  of  the  English  ministers  on  entering 
the  House  of  Commons,  bearing  in  his  hands  the 
treaties  of  peace  which  the  triumphant  battles  of 
this  great  commander  had  done  so  much  towards 
securing,  was  enthusiastically  cheered  by  all  the 
members.  It  was  the  spontaneous  burst  of  public 
joy  ;  party  differences  were  forgotten — and  rarely  in 
England  are  they  ever  forgotten — in  deeds  so  over- 
powering. The  same  minister,  it  was  Lord 
Castlereagh,  afterwards  declared  in  one  of  his 
speeches,  that  the  "  British  empire  had  twice  dic- 
tated the  peace  of  Europe  in  the  capital  of  France.''^ 
The  fame  of  such  deeds  naturally  established  in  the 
confidence  of  the  British  public,  the  ministry  on 
whose  banner  they  were  inscribed. 

Lord  Liverpool  was  not  a  man  to  lose  confidence 
so  acquired.  Splendour  of  genius  was  not  his 
characteristic ;  but  among  his  talents,  was  that  of 
knowing  how  to  assemble  able  men  around  him. 


wnum 


72 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


J 


His  cabinet  already  strong,  was  enriched,  as  we 
have  seen,  with  the  names  of  WelHngton,  and  Peel, 
and  Robinson,  and  Huskisson ;  lastly  with  that  of 
Canning,  whom  he  brought  into  the  foreign  office, 
vacant  by  the  sudden  demise  of  a  powerful  incum- 
bent. These,  though  differing  in  important  points 
among  each  other,  and  from  the  premier,  re- 
mained in  harmony  under  him  as  leader.  Each 
was  made  efficient  in  his  sphere,  and  the  power  of 
the  whole  augmented.  If  Lord  Liverpool  was  not 
the  ablest  man  of  the  body,  he  was  esisentially 
its  head.  With  a  sound  judgment,  improved  by 
public  affairs  upon  a  great  scale,  he  was  well  fitted 
for  the  business  of  a  nation.  What  he  did  not 
take  in  by  promptitude,  he  mastered  by  perse- 
verance ;  not  that  he  was  deficient  in  the  former, 
but  that  he  paused  upon  his  first  conclusions.  Sys- 
tematic and  grave,  educated  in  maxims  which  he 
conscientiously  approved,  however  others  may  have 
dissented  from  them;  courteous  yet  inflexible ;  witli 
a  personal  character  eminently  pure,  and  a  high  re- 
putation for  official  probity,  his  influence,  as  it  rest- 
ed upon  practical  qualities,  went  on  to  increase ;  so 
that  during  the  whole' term  of  my  residence  I  never 
heard,  and  do  not  believe,  that  a  change  of  ministry 
was  for  one  moment  seriously  in  contemplation. 


1818.] 

Such  Ti 
power, 
soverei^ 
to  an  e 
in  both 
entire  m 
tiations, 
It  wat 
entered 
memberij 
vernmenl 
cognized 
vice,  liad 
chivalrou; 
blood  hac 
ton.  To 
ment,  he  i 
i  legislative 
and  abroa 
I  his  judgm 
with  the  f 
with  their 
principles ; 
countries  e 
qualified  tc 
more  cxem 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


73 


th  he 
have 

witli 

rh  YC- 

rest- 


so 


lever 


listry 
lation. 


Such  was  the  premier  whom  I  found  and  left  in 
power.  He  enjoyed  the  full  confidence  of  his 
sovereign ;  and  had  the  confidence  of  the  country 
to  an  extent  that  made  him  sure  of  his  measures 
in  both  houses  of  parliament.  Such  too,  was  the 
entire  ministry  with  which  I  was  to  conduct  nego- 
tiations, and  all  other  business  ofm\  mission. 

It  was  with  a  full  sense  of  responsibility  that  I 
entered  upon  its  duties.  I  was  sustained  by  re- 
membering who  were  at  the  head  of  my  own  go- 
vernment. In  President  Monroe,  his  country  re- 
cognized a  patriot  and  sage.  Time  and  long  ser- 
vice, had  consecrated  his  virtues  and  taler  ts.  A 
chivalrous  officer  of  the  Revolution,  his  youthful 
blood  had  been  poured  out  on  the  plains  of  Tren- 
ton. To  the  careful  study  of  history  and  govern- 
ment, he  added  a  participation  in  the  business  of 
legislative  halls,  and  that  of  diplomacy,  at  home 
and  abroad,  always  carrying  a  heart  as  pure  as 
his  judgment  was  sound.  Perfectly  acquainted 
with  the  foreign  policy  of  the  United  States,  as 
with  their  domestic  concerns;  elevated  in  all  his 
principles ;  just,  magnanimous,  self-controlled,  few 
countries  ever  possessed  a  chief  magistrate  better 
qualified  to  administer  its  affairs  with  wisdom,  or 
more  exempt  from  passions  to  mislead. 
10 


•  -.J 
r    .M 


i*V  t 


74 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


!t. 


First  of  his   cabinet   as  regnviod  every  thing 
foreign,  stood  Mr.  Secretary  Adau  ^^  a  statesman 
of  profound  and  universal  knowledge.     He  had  re- 
ceived the  best  education  that  Europe  and  his  own 
country  could   bestow,  and  from   early  life  been 
practised  in  public  affairs.     Minister  at  several  of 
the  courts  of  Europe,  favourable  opportunities  were 
before  him  of  studying  their  policy,  and  a  superior 
capacity  enabled  him  to  improve  his  opportunities. 
Thus  gifted  and  trained  as  a  statesman,  he  was 
accomplished  as  a  scholar,  fervent  as  a  patriot,  and 
virtuous  as  a  man.     For  the  remainder  of  the  cabi- 
net of  the  United  States,  there  were,  Mr.  Secreta- 
ry Crawford  of  the  treasury  department,  Mr.  Sec- 
retary Calhoun  of  the  war  department,  Mr.  Secre- 
tary   Thompson   and    afterwards  Mr.  Secretai} 
Southard  of  the  navy  department,  with  Mr.  Attor- 
ney General  Wirt;  men  whose  abihties  gave  fur-_ 
ther  assurance  to  those  in  the  foreign  service  of 
the  country,  that  her  interests  would  not  be  over- 
looked.    Such  were  the  counsels  whence  my  in- 
structions were  to  flow.    Of  this  cabinet  I  may 
add,  that  two  of  its  members  have  since  been  call- 
ed by  their  country  to  the  high  posts  of  President 
and  Vice  President  of  the  United  States;  Mr. 


; 


Secr< 
Calh( 
Mj 
sanct 
sor  oi 
views 
Britai 
rial,  tl 
Their  ( 
elevate 
disciph 
said  of 
Mr.  M< 
Madisc 
all  our 
and  CO 
powers 
handling 
most  di 
nistratic 
ment  at 
ment,  tl 
operatio 
elusions 
formidal 
administ 


1818.] 


COURT  OP  LONDON. 


75 


hing 
iman 
d  re- 
own 
been 
ral  of 
iwere 
perior 
nities. 
e  was 
3t,  and 
e  cabi- 
ecreta- 
r.  Sec- 
Secre- 
retary 
Attor- 
e  fur- 
ice  of 
over- 
liny  in- 
I  mav 


•ii 


m 


call- 


■) 


Secretary  Adams  to   the  former,   Mr.  Secretary 
Calhoun  to  the  latter. 

My  instructions  had  also  the  indirect,  though  full 
sanction  of  Mr.  Madison,  the  immediate  predeces- 
sor of- Mr.  Monroe  in  the  Chief  magistracy,  whose 
views  on  all  the  pending  questions  with  Great 
Britain,  whether  maritime,  commercial  or  territo- 
rial, the  latter  adopted;  and  it  was  a  high  sanction. 
Their  careers  had  been  run,  side  by  side,  in  the  most 
elevated  official  posts  of  the  Republic.  Both  were 
disciples  of  Jefferson,  and,  as  he  once  beautifully 
said  of  them,  the  "  two  pillars  of  his  friendship."  If 
Mr.  Monroe  had  the  qualities  I  ascribe  to  him,  Mr. 
Madison  was  distinguished  by  his  deep  insight  into 
all  our  public  affairs;  by  a  penetration  so  quick 
and  comprehensive  that  nothing  escaped  it;  by 
powers  of  investigation  always  masterly,  whether 
handling  the  broadest  general  principles,  or  the 
most  difficult  details  of  foreign  policy,  home  admi- 
nistration, or  constitutional  law;  and  by  a  judg- 
ment at  all  times  so  aloof  from  extraneous  excite- 
ment, that  nothing  ever  turned  aside  the  steady 
operations  of  its  unbiassed  search,  or  the  calm  con- 
clusions of  its  wisdom.  Throughout  the  short  but 
formidable  war  with  Great  Britain  that  marked  his 
administration,  how  zealous  and  determined,  yet 


^M^t 


r 
t 


' 


^^■ 


76  RESIDENCE    AT    THE  [1818. 

how  well-weiorhed  the  maxims  of  his  conduct.  The 
founder  and  ^ilrriOst  draftsman  of  the  Constitution, 
It  was  his  high  and  difficult  task  to  see  in  its  pro- 
visions al!  the  energies  adapted  to  the  belHgerent 
state,  yet  never  to  read  in  them  a  warrant  for  vio- 
lating the  least  of  the  securities  of  public  liberty — 
a  task  which  he  performed  with  equal  discrimina- 
tion, patriotism,  and  glory. 


LONDO 


Jamu 

city^  in  I 

always 

Ludgat( 

Cornhill 

Tower. 

Bank,  R, 

halJ,  Ind: 

with  any 

west-end 

shops  stn 

accumula 

impossibl 

until  you 

theis  you 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


77 


I 


] 


CHAPTER   V. 


I/)NDON  EAST  OF  TEMPLE  BAR.      I-ONDON  NORTH  OF 

OXFORD  STREET. 


'P 


January  7.  Went  throufrh  Temple  Bar  into  the 
aVy,  in  contradistinction  to  tlie  uest  end  of  London, 
always  called  town.  Passed  alon^  Fleet  street, 
Ludgate-hill,  St.  Paul's,  Cheapside,  the  Poultry, 
Cornhill,  and  other  streets  in  the  direction  of  the 
Tower.  Saw,  by  a  liasty,  exterior  glance,  the 
Bank,  Royal  Exchange,  TiOrd  Mayor's  house,  Guild- 
hall, India  house,  the  Ivvcisc  buildings.  If  I  looked 
with  any  feeling  of  wonder  on  tJie  throngs  at  the 
west-end,  more  cause  is  thvro.  for  it  here.  The 
shops  stand,  side  by  side,  for  entire  miles.  The 
accumulation  of  tilings,  is  amazing  ;  it  would  seem 
impossible  that  there  can  be  purchasers  for  them  all, 
until  you  consider  what  multitudes  there  are  to  buy ; 
thei',  you  are  disposed  to  ask  how  the  buyers  can 


i 


r8 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


Jill  be  supplied.     In  the  middle  of  the  streets,  coal 
wagons  and  others  as  large,  carts,  trucks,  vehicles 
of  every  sort,  loaded  in  every  way,  are   passing. 
They  arc  in  two  close  lines,  like  great  tides,  going 
reverse  ways,  and  reaching  farther  than  the  eye 
can  see.     The  horses  come  so  near  to  the  foot 
pavement  which  is  crowded  with  people,  that  their 
hoofs,  and  the  great  wheels  of  the  wagons,  are  only 
a  few  inches  from  the  [)cople.     In  this  manner  the 
whole  procession  is  in  movement  with  its  compli- 
cated noise;  it  confounds  the  senses  to  be  among 
it  all;  you  would  anticipate  constant  accidents — 
yet  they  seklom  happen.     The  fear  of  the  law  pre- 
serves or(l(M-;  moreover  the  universal  sense  of  dan- 
ger if  order  were  violated,  prevents  its  violation.   I 
am  assured  that  these  streets  present  the  same  ap- 
pearance every  day  in  the  year,  except  Sundays, 
when   s()litud(»   rei<jns  iii  them.     I  nmst  notice  as 
belong  iIm'  dress  of  the  people.     A  inrge  proportion 
were  f)f  the  workinj^  classes;  yet  ail  were  whole  in 
their  clothing.     You  could  hardly  sec  exceptions. 
All  iookcMl   he.'dthy;  \\\o  mon^  to   Ix^   remarked  in 
parts  of  the  city  where  they  hve  in  perjxtual  crowds 
by  day  and  sleep  in  confmed  places,  and  can  only 
Im'  accounted  f(jr  by  a  healthy  climate  in  combina- 
tion w  ith  cleanliness ;  London,  by  its  aqueducts  and 


Somet 

the  mi 

custom 

for  aiKi 

tlK)usai 

migjit 

l)oxes,  .'- 

prietors 


1818.J 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


79 


a  ap- 

ilays, 
vv.  as 
rtion 
)lo  ill 
ions. 
ci\  ill 
oNvds 


on 


Iv 


binii- 


other  subterranean  works,  beincr  as  great  a  curio- 
sity under  ground,  as  above.  The  custom  house 
and  black  fairest  of  ships  bellow  FiOiidon  l)ridge,  I 
saw  only  l)y  a  glimpse.  That  was  enough  to  show, 
that  the  Thames  was  choked  up  with  vessels  and 
boats  of  every  description,  nuirh  wl'tcr  the  mnnner 
that  I  beheld  Clieapside  and  I'ieet  street  to  be, 
with  vehicles  that  move  on  land. 

I  went  into  two  shops;  one,  a  silver  smith's, 
that  of  Rundel  and  IJridge,  on  Ludgat(>-hill.  Out- 
side it  is  plain  ;  you  might  pass  by  without  noticing 
it;  but  on  ent(ring,  the  articles  of  silver  were  piled 
in  henps,  even  on  the  floor,  (ioing  further  into  the 
building,  the  masses  increased.  In  a  room  up  stairs, 
there  was  part  of  a  diimer  service,  in  course  of  ma- 
nufacture. The  cost  of  an  entire  service,  vari(Ml 
from  thirty  to  fifty  thousand  pound.,  sierling,  accord 
ing  to  the  number  of  j)i(H:es,  ,mk1  "ujrknuinship. 
Sometimes  it  was  'uuch  higher.  \  candelii!)rn  for 
the  middle  of  a  table  h:ul  just  irsen  fmisu'd  for  a 
customer,  at  fifteen  lumdred  po.inds,  A  dress  sword 
for  anoth(T  customer  was  shown;  th(^  cost  was  four 
thousancl  guineas.  Other  specimens  of  luxuricH 
might  be  mentioned,  including  jmd»assadors'  snufl' 
lK)xca,  set  with  a  profusion  of  dijimonds.  Thr  j)r()- 
prietors  were  extremely  civil;  for  I  gave  trouble 


c: 

«•■■  * 

i  J 


) 

A 


r 


80 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


only  through  curiosity.  If  you  purchase  but  a  trifle, 
for  a  few  shillingi*,  they  return  thanks;  if  you  do 
not  incline  to  take  it  away  yourself,  they  readily 
send  it  home,  no  matter  to  how  remote  a  part  of 
the  town.  The  other  shop  was  Shepherd's,  for  cut 
glass,  near  Charing  Cross.  There  too  I  had  civi- 
lity from  the  proprietor.  In  place  of  speaking  of 
his  wares,  1  will  relate  what  he  said  of  the  Emperor 
Alexander.  His  imperial  majesty,  it  seems,  when 
on  his  visit  to  Enoland  with  the  allied  sovereigns, 
honoured  his  shop  with  a  call.  Pleased  with  his 
articles  beyond  any  of  the;  kind  he  had  seen  in 
Europe,  he  gave  an  order  for  a  magnificent  list  for 
one  of  his  palaces.  The  pieces  arrived  in  St.  Peters- 
burgh.  Immediately  a  ukase  issued,  prohibiting  the 
future  importation  of  cut-glass  into  Russia.  Whe- 
ther the  emperor  most  desired  to  encourage  the 
home  manufacture  of  so  beautiful  a  ware,  or  en- 
hance the  gratification  of  his  imperial  taste  by 
keeping  it  exclusive,  were  questions  that  I  had 
no  right  to  propound. 

Of  all  the  sights,  the  one  in  the  middle  of  the 
streets,  bespoke  to  me  most  of  causes  and  eftocts. 
Being  afterwards  in  Paris,  I  .-;iw  more  of  arch'- 
tectural  beauty,  at  first ;  more  of  light  and  bril- 
liancy.    The   Boulevards,   the  Falais  Royal,  the 


18U 

Rue 

goldc 

were 

don. 

haust 

hous€ 

portal 

quick 

the  ro 

the  W( 

source 

discov 

every  i 

cations 

than  Pj 

abound 

tenfold 

Jarni/ 
IMarylel 
the  !att( 
been  an 
it  is  a  s( 
and  wid( 
the  tow] 
The   stn 


1818.] 


COURT    OF   LONDON. 


81 


Rue  Rivoli  which  looked  into  the  Tuileries  through 
golden  tipped  palisades,  and  a  few  other  places, 
were  not  to  be  matched  by  any  thing  I  saw  in  Lon- 
don. But  their  compass  was  small  and  soon  ex- 
hausted. The  space  between  Northumberland 
house  and  Bishopsgate,  disclosed  more  of  trans- 
portation, more  of  the  operations  that  proclaim 
quick  circulation  of  capital,  more  of  all  that  laid  at 
the  roots  of  commerce  at  home  and  throughout 
the  world,  more  of  all  that  went  to  the  prolific 
sources  of  riches  and  power,  than  I  was  able  to 
discover  in  gomg  about  Paris,  again  and  again,  in 
every  direction,  though  looking  out  for  similar  indi- 
cations. I  am  aware  how  much  larger  London  is, 
than  Paris ;  but  the  bustle  of  business  seemed  to 
abound  in  the  T^nglish  metropolis  in  a  proportion 
tenfold  greater  than  its  sup<rrior  hwie. 

Jamidrij  19.  I  have  taken  a  house.  It  is  situated  in 
Marylebone  parish,  north  of  Oxford  road^  as  I  hear 
the  latter  called  by  some,  probably  from  its  having 
been  an  open  road  within  their  recollection.  Now, 
it  is  a  street  fully  built  up,  and  among  the  longest 
and  widest  in  London.  North  of  it,  lies  a  part  of 
the  town  different  from  any  I  have  hitherto  seen. 
The  streets  are  generally  regular,  but  with  «>me 

11 


»   »N 


rf    '      ) 

\   y  1 

"   1 

*.  1 


r 
c 


82 


RESIDEISCK    AT   TIIK 


[1818. 

handsomo  deviations.  All  are  of  good  width  j  some 
a  hundred  feet  and  more.  Many  of  them,  as  Har- 
ley  street,  Wimpole  street,  Baker  street,  Devon- 
shire-place, Portland-place,  and  others,  present 
long  ranges  of  houses  so  built  as  to  give  them  a 
metropolitan  aspect.  Through  some  of  the  streets, 
you  look,  as  through  a  vista,  into  the  verdant 
scenery  of  the  Regent's  Park.  This  commences 
almost  at  the  point  where  the  buildings,  which  are 
lofty,  end ;  so  that  you  seem  to  step  at  once  into 
the  country.  An  air  of  gloom  hangs  over  these 
streets,  from  the  dark  brick  of  which  most  of  the 
houses  are  built,  or  which  coal  smoke  gives  them ; 
the  case  I  may  add  with  nearly  every  part  of  Lon- 
don. This  part  is  quite  secluded,  if  so  I  may  speak 
of  a  town  district  of  more  than  a  hundred  thou- 
sand inhabitants.  You  hoar  little  noise  beyond  the 
rumble  of  equipages,  beginning  at  two  o'clock,  aba- 
ting in  the  evening,  and  returning  at  midnight. 
Its  quietness  and  the  number  of  ready-furnished 
houses  to  be  hired  in  it,  are  probably  the  induce- 
ments f(  r  iti-  being  much  chosen  by  the  foreign 
ambassndors  for  thei"  esidencc.  I  found  that  the 
Russian,  Austrian  and  French  ambassadors,  IiacI 
here  fixed  their  domicils.  Every  house  has  its 
area,  enclosed   with   iron    palisades   topj)cd    with 


1816 


ner; 


ing  wall 


gr.3at  nu 
through 
<'very  tlii 


1818.] 


COURT  OF   LONDON. 


83 


■4 


tt  the 
had 
lis  its 


spikes.  The  front  door  steps  are  all  of  brown 
stone  with  iron  railings,  topped  in  the  same  man- 
ner ;  so  that  the  eye  as  far  as  it  could  reach,  traced 
in  all  directions  long  lines  of  this  bristling  iron 
work.  If  you  add,  that  on  the  broad  pavements  of 
fjgg  you  perhaps  saw  nobody  before  noon,  unless  a 
straggling  servant  in  morning  livery,  or  a  butcher's 
boy  with  tray  m  hand  issuing  here  and  there  from 
an  area,  you  have  the  main  external  characteristics 
of  this  region  when  first  I  beheld  it.  There  is 
another  town  district  a  mile  or  two  east,  made  up 
of  well  built  streets  about  Russel  square  and  in  that 
direction,  that  had  an  appearance  somewhat  similar. 
It  contained  I  was  told  another  one  hundred  thou- 
sand inhabitants,  London  dissected  showing  these 
various  circles.  The  entire  metropolis,  says  Gib- 
bon in  his  memoirs,  is  "  an  astonishing  and  perpe- 
tual spectacle  to  the  curious  c}  c ;  each  taste,  each 
sense  may  be  gratified  by  the  variety  of  objects 
which  will  occur  in  the  long  circuit  of  a  morn- 
ing walk." 

Of  the  part  I  have  been  describing  in  its  external 
aspect,  I  must  notice  the  complexion  within.  A 
great  numlxT  of  the  houses  were  to  let,  and  I  went 
through  them.  From  the  basement  to  the  attics 
every  thing  had  an  air  of  condort.     T!ct;  supply  of 


r 
i 


~*». 


84 


RESIDENCE   AT  THE 


[1818. 

furniture  was  full,  and  more  or  less  costly,  accord- 
ing to  the  rent.     The   stair  cases  were  of  white 
stone ;  the  windows  and  beds  in  servants'  rooms, 
had  curtains ;  and  no  floor  or  passage  was  without 
carpeting.     I  was  struck  with  the  number  of  bells, 
with  ornamental  bell  ropes  to  pull  them  on  each  srje 
of  every  fire-place  in  the  parlours,  and  each  side  of 
every  bed  in  the  bed-rooms,  to  call  servants  from 
above  or  below.    In  many  instances,  libraries  made 
part  of  the  furniture — a  beautiful  part.     It  was  im- 
possible to  survey  the  mass  of  articles  of  British  man- 
ufacture, whether  for  use  or  ornament,  accumulated 
in  these  houses,  as  a  mere  specimen  of  the  supply 
of    the   whole   country,   without    reflecting    how 
much  more  important  to  Britain  must  be  the  home 
market  of  consumption   for  all  her  best  manufac- 
tures, than  the  sum  total  of  those  she  sends  to  all 
other  parts  of  the  work!,  great  as  are  her  exports 
of  them.     The  rents  varied  from  four  hundred  to  n 
tiiousand  guiiU'Ms  a  year.     In  some  of  the  squares 
of  tlKMvest-eiui,  I  learned  that  the  rent  of  a  tiirnisii- 
ed  house  was  as  hiiili  as  sixty  and  eiiihty  jruineas  u 
vwr/c.     Houses  of  the  first  class,  with  the  abundaiil 
and  sumptuous  turniture  to  suit,  are  not  to  be  hind 
at  all.     These,  belonging  to  the  nobility  or  other 
opulent  proj)rietors,  arc  left  in  the  can^  of  servants 


« 


when 
was 
guine 
of  the 


catmfl 


1818.] 


COURT    OF     LONDON. 


85 


luarcs 

Inisli- 

SJS  (I 

luluiit 


iircd 


jtlMT 


mi^ 


when  the  owners  are  away.  The  house  I  took 
was  in  Baker  street,  at  four  hundred  and  fifty 
guineas  a  year.  It  was  four  stories  high,  exclusive 
of  the  basement  story,  had  three  rooms  communi- 
cating with  each  other,  on  a  floor,  w  as  upwards  of 
tliirty  feet  front  and  from  fifty  to  sixty  deep.  There 
was  not  a  foot  of  yard  to  it.  The  kitchen  was 
under  ground,  on  the  space  in  the  immediate  rear  of 
the  house ;  which  space  was  roofed  over  with  a  flat 
roof  covered  with  lead,  fight  being  admitted  below 
through  sky  lights.  At  the  end^of  this  flat  leaden 
roof,  rose  the  back  wall  of  a  stable ;  with  rooms 
above  where  the  coachman  slept  and  lived;  stables 
of  the  same  kind  being  common  to  every  house  in 
the  row ;  and  the  alley,  or  rnews^  as  the  term  here  is, 
on  which  all  the  stables  front,  being  about  one 
hundred  feet  in  the  rear  of  the  street.  In  the  base- 
ment, under  the  main  body  of  the  house,  were  a 
liouso  keeper's  room,  butler's  pantry  and  other 
apartments,  all  deriving  light  from  the  area  upon  the 
street,  or  the  sky-lights  in  the  leaden  roof.  The 
receptacle  for  coal  was  a  cellar  excjivated  under  the 
strcHJtin  front  of  the  area,  similar  excavations  being 
common  to  every  house  on  both  sides  of  the  street. 
Such  was  its  outline,  which  may  be  considered  also 
us  descriptiv<^  of  the  common  domestic  architecture 


tn 


!1 

r 


8G 


RESIDENCE   AT  THE 


[1818. 


of    the    west  end    of    London,    among    houses 
that  are  to  be  rented.     Water  was  brought  from 
the   new   river   to   every    story;   and   the  whole 
was   completely   furnished   from    top   to   bottom 
— china,  plate,  glass,  table  and  house   linen   ex- 
cepted, which  are  found  by  the  occupant.     For  a 
London  house  in  this  part  of  the  town,  it  was  quite 
a  small  one,  but  remarkable  for  its  good  arrange- 
ment, and  economy  of  space ;  the  most  being  made 
for   accommodation,  in  all  ways,  of  the  limited 
ground  it  stood  upon.     The  policy  of  my  govern- 
ment being  to  give  to  its  public  servants  small 
salaries,  the  latter  act  but  in  unison  with  this  policy 
in  having  their  establishments  small.     It  is  not  for 
those   honoured   by  being  selected  to   serve  the 
Republic   abroad,   to  complain.      Nor,    with  the 
English,  do    I    beheve,    that    the    consideration 
attaching  to  foreign  ministers,  is  dependent  upon 
the  salaries  they   receive.     However  large  these 
may  be,  and  sometimes  are,  in  the  persons  of  the 
representatives  of  the  imperial  and  royal  govern- 
ments of  Europe,  they  are  st:ll  so  much  below  the 
wealth  of  the  home  circles  in  London,  as  to  be  no 
distinction,  supposing  distinction  to  be  sought  on 
that  ground.     The  surpassing  incomes  in  the  home 
circles  and  habit  of  expenditure,  with  thc^  ample 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON, 


87 


accommodations  by  which  the  many  who  possess 
them  hve  surrounded,  incline  their  possessors  to 
regard  such  official  strangers,  as  objects,  rather 
than  agents,  of  hospitality.  It  may  be  otherwise 
in  capitals  on  the  continent,  but  this  is  the  general 
relationship  which  the  diplomatic  corps  holds  to 
society  in  London  ;  the  result  of  its  own  state  of 
manners  as  well  as  its  riches. 


'W  ">  .-Hi 


i 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


/. 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


I4i|||2^    112.5 


12.2 


■-  H«    ill' 

"  ■;£  lllllio 


1.4 


1.6 


V] 


77 


*: 


A^ 


Photographic 

Sdences 
Corporation 


\ 


M 


iV 


<^ 


•SS 


<«^ 


^"^s 


6^ 


33  WIST  MAIN  StMIT 

WIBSTH.N.Y.  MStO 

(716)  S73-4503 


4is 


^ 


\\ 


88 


RESIDENCE    AT  THE 


[1818. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

DINNER  AT  LORD    CASTLEREAGH'S.       MEMBERS   OF  THE  DI 
PLOMATIC   CORPS.      THE    FIRST    VISIT.       DINNER  AT  LORD 
WESTMORELAND'S. 

January  20.  Dined  at  Lord  Castlereagh's. 
The  company  consisted  of  Lord  and  Lady  Cas- 
tlereagh,  the  Earl  of  Westmoreland,  Lord  Mel- 
ville, Lord  Mulgrave,  Mr.  Wellesley  Pole,  the 
Duke  of  Wellington,  Lord  Burghersh,  the  ambas- 
sador of  France  and  his  marchioness,  the  Austrian 
ambassador,  the  Portuguese  ambassador  and  his 
countess,  the  minister  plenipotentiary  from  Bava- 
ria, the  Marquis  Grimaldi  of  Sardinia,  and  a  few 
others.  Of  the  foregoing,  some  were  strangers, 
to  whom,  as  to  myself,  it  was  a  first  dinner. 

The  invitation  was  for  seven  o'clock.  Our 
names  were  announced  by  servants  in  the  hall, 
and  on  the  landings.  The  company  had  chiefly 
assembled  when  we  arrived.  All  were  in  full 
black,  under  the  court  mourning  for  the  Princess 


nity  ( 
misfo 
dued 
trodu( 
Before 
room 
As  we 
hyahf 
beautifi 
and  as 
covered 
coolers, 
Lord  C 
was  the 
in  going 
Castlere 
ft, 
came 
Westrno 
arm  of  t 
Portugue 
French 
between 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


89 


Charlotte.  I  am  wrong — one  lady  was  in  white 
satin,  a  singularity  that  would  have  been  painfully 
embarrassing,  but  that  her  union  of  ease  and  dig- 
nity enabled  her,  after  the  first  effusion,  to  turn  her 
misfortune  into  a  grace.  Salutations  were  in  sub- 
dued tones,  but  cordial,  and  the  hand  given.  In- 
troductions took  place  at  convenient  moments. 
Before  eight,  dinner  was  announced.  The  dining 
room  was  on  the  floor  with  the  drawing  rooms. 
As  we  entered  it  through  a  door-way  surrounded 
by  a  hanging  curtain  that  drew  aside,  the  eflfect  was 
beautiful.  A  profusion  of  light  fell  upon  the  cloth, 
and  as  every  thing  else  was  of  silver,  the  dishes 
covered,  and  wines  hidden  in  ranges  of  silver 
coolers,  the  whole  had  an  aspect  of  pure  white. 
Lord  Castlereagh  sat  at  the  head.  On  his  right, 
was  the  lady  of  the  French  ambassador,  with  whom 
in  going  in  to  dinner,  he  had  led  the  way.  Lady 
Castlereagh  was  on  the  side,  half  way  down.  On 
her  left,  was  the  Duke  of  Wellington,  with  whom 
^^  she  came  in.  Between  the  Duke  and  the  Earl  of 
Westmoreland  was  my  wife,  who  came  in  upon  the 
arm  of  the  latter.  Opposite  was  the  lady  of  the 
Portuguese  ambassador.  She  entered  with  the 
French  ambassador,  and  sat  next  to  him.  I  was 
between  Lords  Melville  }\nd  Mulgrnve.  The  for- 
12 


f.  ■  ■•"W 

en 


1  -*'    ' 
1 '  :  *  • 


1 


it 


90 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


mer  gratified  mc  by  the  iii  inner  in  which  he  spoke 
of  the  United  States ;  the  hitter  by  w iiat  he  said  of 
President  Monroe,  who  >vas  minister  in  England 
when  he  was  secretary  for  foreign  affairs.  He  had 
ever  found  him,  he  said,  concihatory  in  business, 
whilst  steadfast  in  his  duty.  Being  near  to  these 
two  noblemen  in  coming  in,  I  paused  to  give  place 
to  them,  having  understood  that  cabinet  ministers 
preceded  ministers  plenipotentiary  on  these  occa- 
sions; but  they  declined  it,  and  I  went  first;  Lord 
Melville  remarking,  "We  are  at  home."  There 
were  twelve  servants;  the  superior  ones  not  in  livery. 
The  general  topics  related  to  France,  and  French 
society.  The  foreigners  spoke  English ;  neverthe- 
less, the  conversation  was  nearly  all  in  French. 
This  w  as  not  only  the  case  when  the  English  ad- 
dressed the  foreigners,  but  in  speaking  to  each 
other.  Before  dinner,  I  had  observed  in  the  draw- 
ing room,  books  on  the  tables.  As  many  as  I 
glanced  at,  were  French,  and  nearly  all  appeared 
to  be  so.  I  thought  of  the  days  of  Charles  II.,  ^| 
as  wc  have  them  from  Grammont  and  others, 
when  the  tastes  of  the  English  all  ran  upon  the 
models  of  France.  Here,  at  the  house  of  an  Eng- 
lish minister  of  state,  French  literature,  the  French 
language,  French  topics,  were  all  around  me;  1 


I         181 

add, 

to  h 

II.  h 

Engl 

^vcre 

they 

Franc 

guage 

ci  weJJ 

speak 

educat 

the  CO 

gives  j 

that   F 

Europe 

not  acq 

Englisli 

both  to 

vantage 

France j 

speaking 

Soon 

the  gent 

knots,  orl 

coffee  wd 

ness  of 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


91 


add,  French  entrees^  French  wines !  T  was  unwilhng 
to  hehevc  that  the  parallel  to  the  days  of  Charles 
II.  held  throughout.  By  my  longer  residence  in 
England  I  discovered,  that  the  enlightened  classes 
were  more  ready  to  copy  from  the  French  what 
they  thought  good,  than  the  same  classes  in 
France,  to  copy  from  England.  As  regards  lan- 
guage, the  difierence  is  striking.  There  is  scarcely 
a  well  educated  person  in  England,  who  does  not 
speak  French,  whilst  thousands  among  the  best 
educated  in  France,  are  ignorant  of  Enijlish.  In 
the  competition  between  these  great  nations,  this 
gives  England  an  advantage.  It  is  no  answer, 
that  French  is  the  lamruaore  of  intercourse  in 
Europe;  the  Frenchman  may  repose  upon  this,  for 
not  acquiring  the  English ;  but  it  cannot  take  from 
Englishmen  the  advantage  of  being  at  home  in 
both  tongues.  Equally  have  the  English  the  ad- 
vantage in  travel.  They  go  in  great  numbers  to 
France;  while  few  of  the  French,  comparatively 
speaking,  visit  England. 

Soon  after  nine,  the  ladies  left  table.  Before  ten, 
the  gentlemen  followed.  The  company  broke  into 
knots,  or  loitered  through  the  drawing  rooms,  whilst 
coffee  was  handed.  In  one,  was  a  full  length  like- 
ness  of  the    Prince    Regent,   by   Lawrence;    in 


9-2 


RESIDENCK    AT    THE 


[1818. 


181^ 


another  the  celebrated  portrait  of  Charles  I.,  by 
Vandycke,  presenting  three  views  of  his  face; 
scattered  about  in  all,  were  articles  of  vertii  or 
munificence.  Of  the  latter,  were  vases  of  massive 
porcelain,  and  other  memorials,  sent  as  presents  to 
Lord  Castlereagh  by  the  crowned  heads  of  Europe, 
after  the  treaties  of  Paris  and  Vienna.  I  had  now 
conversation,  for  which  opportunities  had  not  before 
offered.  The  Austrian  ambassador  told  me,  that  his 
court  had  appointed  Baron  Sturmer  consul  general 
to  the  United  States.  He  said,  that  it  was  the  wish 
of  his  court  to  cultivate  amicable  relations  with  the 
United  States ;  the  more,  as  foreign  commerce  had 
become  an  object  with  Austria.  I  replied,  that 
my  government  would  receive  the  information  with 
satisfaction.  This  was  the  first  public  officer  sent 
by  Austria  to  the  United  States,  and  laid  the  foun- 
dation of  commercial  relations  that  had  not  before 
subsisted  between  the  two  nations.  I  remarked, 
that  the  commerce  of  Austria  appeared  to  be  doing 
well  in  the  Black  sea.  "For  a  beginning,"  he  re- 
plied. I  added  a  hope,  that  the  flag  of  the  United 
States  might  find  admittance  into  that  sea ;  but  it 
was  a  point  on  which  he  was  not  prepared  to 
speak.  To  Lord  Castlereagh,  I  expressed  the 
pleasure  I  had  derived  from  making  the  acquaint 


tanci 

Wei] 

said 

that  ] 

tion  i 

ofthf 

not  s( 

of  his 

in  a  h 

dividu 

and  so 

Bef( 

Regen 

of  Feb 

dience 

Ate 

their  st 

as  whe 

wards  j 

Havi 

diploma 

who  coi 

was  ent 

bers. 

transpire 

harmony 


1818.] 


COURT    Ol'    LONDON 


93 


dth 


)un- 


tance  of  his  guests;  amongst  them,  the  Duke  of 
Welhngton's.  He  then  spoke  of  the  duke.  He 
said  that  his  achievements  in  war  were  known ;  but 
that  his  abihty  in  council,  his  caution,  his  conciha- 
tion  in  deahng  with  the  complicated  arrangements 
of  the  continent  that  had  followed  his  battles,  were 
not  so  much  known;  these  formed  not  less  a  part 
of  his  character,  and  had  gained  for  him,  perhaps 
in  a  higher  degree  than  centered  in  any  other  in- 
dividual in  Europe,  the  confidence  of  its  cabinets 
and  sovereigns. 

Before  parting,  his  lordship  said,  that  the  Prince 
Regent  would  probably  be  in  town  by  the  middle 
of  February,  and  that  I  might  then  expect  my  au- 
dience of  reception. 

At  eleven,  I  came  away.  The  servants  were  at 
their  stations,  and  passed  the  call  for  my  carriage, 
as  when  we  were  announced;  forms  observed  to- 
wards all  the  company. 

Having  here  met  for  the  first  time  some  of  the 
diplomatic  corps,  I  will  subjoin  the  names  of  all 
who  composed  it,  whilst  I  was  in  England.  There 
was  entire  cordiality  in  the  intercourse  of  its  mem- 
bers. The  period  being  one  of  peace,  no  acts 
transpired  among  nations,  tending  to  abridge  the 
haimony  of  private  life  among  their  representatives. 


mm*-  »•"*     •*'^ 


*3 


1 


t^' 


m-  » 


tt 


5! 


94  RESIDENCE  AT    THE  [1818. 

From  France  there  was  the  Marquis  D'Osmond^ 
among  the  best  specimens  of  tlie  old  French  court. 
From  Russia,  Count,  afterwards  Prince  Lieven; 
from  Austria,  Prince  Esterhazy;  from  Prussia, 
Baron  Humboldt,  brother  and  rival  in  genius  to 
the  celebrated  traveller ;  from  the  Netherlands,  Ba- 
ron Fagel,  a  name  well  known  in  his  country's  his- 
tory ;  from  Spain,  the  Duke  of  San  Carlos ;  from 
Portugal,  Count,  afterwards  Marquis  Palmella, 
maintaining  under  all  vicissitudes,  his  reputation 
for  abihties.  These  were  ambassadors.  The  chief 
difference  between  the  ambassador  and  minister 
plenipotentiary,  in  common  sp  ?ech  often  confound- 
ed, is,  that  the  former  is  viewed  as  representing  the 
person  of  his  sovereign.  In  that  capacity,  he  takes 
precedence  in  matters  of  form,  and  has  exaltation, 
personally,  in  various  ways.  For  every  national 
end,  the  attributes  of  the  minister  plenipotentiary 
are  the  same. 

France  changed  her  ambassador  four  times. 
She  sent,  after  the  departure  of  the  Marquis  D'Os- 
mond,  the  Marquis  de  la  Tour  Mauberg,  the  Duke 
D'Cazes,  Viscount  Chateaubriand,  and  Prince 
Pohgnac.  The  first  was  the  celebrated  cavalry 
officer,  not  more  known  by  his  powers  as  a  com- 
mander, than  his  gallant  exploits  in  battle,  parti- 


11 1 


I' 


1818.] 


COURT   OF    LONDON. 


95 


cularly  at  Leipsic  where  he  lost  a  leg.    His  manly 
form,  thus  maimed,  was  doubly  interesting,  by  the 
habitual  suavity  of  his  manners.     The  second,  was 
the  distinguished  minister   of  the   interior  under 
Louis  XVIII. ;  and  at  that  time  head  of  the  French 
administration.     The  third,  was  the  brilliant  author 
of  France — and  admired  by  the  world ;  who  brings 
at  all  times  to  his   page  the  most   eloquent  and 
touching  reflections,  whether  writing  from  the  deep 
shades  of  American  forests,  from  classic  Italy,  or 
the  sacred  banks  of  the  Jordan;  who  gives  eleva- 
tion to  party  strife,  investing  with  instructive  and 
elegant  generalities,  what  in  feebler  hands  degene- 
rates into  common  details  or  coarse  personality. 
The  fourth   was  the  same  who  was  afterwards 
president  of  the  council  and  prime  minister  under 
Charles  X.     He  was  fatally  conspicuous  in  the  re- 
volution of  July  1830;  but,  to  his  personal  accom- 
plishments  and   worth,  all  bore  testi'rony.     The 
Netherlands  changed  hers  once,  sending,  'n  place  of 
Baron  Fagel,  called  to  the  home  service,  Mr.  Falk; 
whose  activity  in  the  cause  of  Holland  has  been 
witnessed  at  dates  more  recent.    Prussia  sent  Ba- 
ron Werter  in  place  of  Baron  Humboldt ;  the  latter 
also  called  to  the  home  service.    Spain  substituted 
the  Duke  de  Frias  for  the  Duke  of  San  Carlos ;  and 


96 


RESIDENCE   AT   THE 


[1818. 


afterwards  sent  Mr.  Onis  (as  minister  plenipotenti- 
ary) in  the  time  of  the  constitutional  government 
of  the  Cortes.  From  Portugal,  Count  Villa  Real 
succeeded  the  Marquis  Palmella,  Mr.  Olivera  in- 
terposing (as  minister  plenipotentiary)  for  a  short 
interval,  in  the  time  of  the  constitutional  govern- 
ment of  that  country. 

The  ministers  plenipotentiary  were,  Coimt  Mun- 
ster  from  Hanover ;  Mr.  Bourke,  from  Denmark ; 
Baron  Stierneld,  from  Sweden ;  Baron  Just,  from 
Saxony ;  Mr.  PfefFel,  from  Bavaria ;  Count  Ludolf, 
from  Naples ;  Count  D'Aglie,  from  Sardinia.  The 
only  change  in  this  order,  was  from  Denmark,  in 
the  person  of  Count  Moltke  for  Mr.  Bourke.  The 
former  was  accompanied  by  his  countess — an  acces- 
sion to  the  English  as  to  any  court.  Italy  had  her 
season  of  constitutional  governments,  as  Spain  and 
Portugal;  but  the  Austrian  troops  overturned 
them  too  rapidly  to  afford  Sardinia  or  Naples 
time  to  new-model  their  diplomacy.  France  march- 
ed her  army  across  the  Bidassoa  more  slowly,  but 
not  more  decisively.  She  too  overturned  constitu- 
tional government  in  Spain ;  an  attack  upon  na- 
tional independence  which  Britain,  in  her  state 
papers  and  parliamentary  speeches,  officially  dis- 


1818.] 

f      approv 
\     of  freec 

Ther 
below 
dorff  fr. 
land.    ': 
temburg 
Count  3 
Mr.  Rar 
appeared 
not  more 
than  the 
Christenc 
agents  of 
for  fbreio 
Canning  i 
and  were 
new  state 
from  Colo 
and  Mr.  R 
The  eml 
provided  w 
ed  to  them 
gate  made 
pared  with 


8. 

ti- 
5nt 
eal 
in- 
ert 
rii- 

iun- 

irk; 

rom 

dolf, 

The 

k,  in 

The 

xes- 
her 
and 

irned 
iples 
irch- 
but 
stitu- 
na- 
I  state 
dis- 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


97 


approved  without  resisting ;  and  which  the  friends 
of  freedom  in  both  hemispheres  joined  in  deplor- 
ing. 

There  were  two  ministers  resident,  an  order 
below  ministers  plenipotentiary — Baron  Langs- 
dorfF  from  Baden,  and  Mr.  Haller  from  Switzer- 
land. There  was  a  charge  d'affaires  from  Wir- 
temburg,  Mr.  Wagner,  who  was  succeeded  by 
Count  Mandelsloh ;  and  one  from  Constantinople, 
Mr.  Ramadani.  The  latter  on  official  occasions 
appeared  in  his  robes,  turban  and  slippers ;  a  dress 
not  more  in  contrast  with  all  that  surrounded  him, 
than  the  institutions  of  his  country  with  those  of 
Christendom.  The  credentials  of  diplomatic 
agents  of  this  class,  are  to  the  secretary  of  state 
for  foreign  affairs,  not  the  sovereign.  When  Mr. 
Canning  filled  this  office,  plenipotentiaries  arrived, 
and  were  afterwards  received,  from  three  of  the 
new  states  of  Spanish  America;  Mr.  Hurtado 
from  Colombia,  General  Michelena  from  Mexico, 
and  Mr.  Rividavia  from  Buenos  Ayres. 

The  embassies  of  the  great  powers  were  amply 
provided  with  secretaries,  and  had  persons  attach- 
ed to  them  in  other  capacities.  The  entire  aggre- 
gate made  a  large  body ;  not,  however,  when  com- 
pared with  the  embassies  of  other  times,  for  Sully 
13 


C 


p. 

V  ■■tft 


6    '  I 


It' 


I,: 


98 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


brought  to  England  a  retinue  of  two  hundred  gen- 
men,  and  Bassompierre,  still  earlier,  speaks  of  an 
"  equipage  of  four  hundred  persons'"'  returning  with 
him  to  France.  The  former  on  reaching  London 
was  saluted  with  three  thousand  guns  from  the 
tower.  So,  D'Estrades,  ambassador  to  the  States 
General  from  Louis  XIV.,  tells  us  that  he  was  met 
at  Ryswick  by  the  deputies  with  a  train  of  three 
score  coaches.  Compliments  so  profuse  have  wise- 
ly gone  out  of  date. 

But,  in  all  affairs,  forms  prevail.     Governments 
in  particular  never  dispense  with   them.     Having 
mentioned  the  members  of  the  diplomatic  corps,  I 
will  allude  to  some  of  the  forms  that  regulated  their 
intercourse.     Once,  the  uncertainty  of  these  led  to 
difficulties ;  even  wars.     The  congress  of  Vienna 
in  1815  extirpated  them  all,  as  far  as  questions  of 
precedence  were  concerned ;  and  these  had  ever 
been   found   the  most  serious.     It  declared   that 
every  question  of  that  nature  should  be  settled  by 
the  rule  of  time.     He  who  has  been  longest  at  a 
court  or  government,  is  to  be  first.     The  relative 
power  of  the  nation   he   represents,   is  to  count 
nothing.     This   is  a   rule    satisfactory   to    small 
states,   and  it   is   to   the   praise   of   large    ones, 
that   they    established    it.     It    applies   to  all  in- 


terco 
ther 
reguJj 
last  a] 
;      overle 
same  ( 
*      sal  ass 
more  o 
public 
ambass 
none  of 
ofwhid 
details, 
Digges, 
the  late] 
sense 
Westph 
tentions 
pal   pow 
Utrecht 
ofminist< 
being  coi 
was  rese 
modern 
often  pro 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


99 


tercourse  where  competition  can  arise,  whe- 
ther of  business  or  ceremony ;  and  therefore 
regulates  visits.  The  member  of  the  corps 
last  arriving,  pays  the  first.  The  rule  does  not 
overleap  classes,  applying  only  to  those  of  the 
same  class.  Its  propriety  has  commanded  univer- 
sal assent.  Under  its  operation,  we  shall  hear  no 
more  of  personal  rudenesses,  no  disturbances  of  the 
pubHc  decorum,  no  cutting  of  traces  that  one 
ambassador's  coach  may  whip  up  before  another ; 
none  of  the  acts,  ill-adapted  to  such  functionaries, 
of  which  we  catch  the  glimmerings,  sometimes  the 
details,  in  works  of  diplomatic  literature — in  Finett, 
Digges,  Melville,  D'Estrades,  Wiquefort ;  even  in 
the  later  pages  of  Segur,  much  as  his  own  good 
sense  discountenanced  them.  The  treaty  of 
Westphalia  tried  to  put  a  stop  to  these  con- 
tentions by  fixing  the  relative  rank  of  the  princi- 
pal powers  of  Europe;  but  in  vain.  That  of 
Utrecht  had  the  same  aim,  in  introducing  the  title 
of  minister  plenipotentiary,  the  contentions  before 
being  confined  to  ambassadors.  In  vain  also.  It 
was  reserved  for  the  rule  of  Vienna,  aided  by 
modern  manners,  at  last  to  get  rid  of  what  had  so 
often  proved  a  hindrance  to  public  business  and 


100 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


J818, 


injurious  to  individual  concord.  Although  the  Uni- 
ted States  had  no  agency  in  making  that  rule,  their 
ministers  share  its  benefits. 

But,  as  far  as  visits  are  concerned,  it  has  turned 
out,  that  the  certainty  of  the  rule,  leads  to  its  being 
frequently  disregarded.  In  obedience  to  it,  I  was 
prepared  to  make  the  first  visit  to  all  the  members 
of  the  corps  who  had  arrived  before  me.  But,  from 
several,  I  had  the  favour  of  calls  by  anticipation,  as 
was  common  in  other  cases.  Fortunate  change ! 
when  the  strife  of  courtesy  supplants  hostile 
strife. 

The  right  of  precedence  in  treaties,  is  of  a  diflfer- 
ent  nature.  These  solemn  instruments  are  exe- 
cuted in  double  original.  This  gives  to  each 
nation  the  opportunity  of  being  named  first,  and 
signing  first,  in  the  treaty  to  be  deposited  in  its 
own  archives.  Such  is  the  rule  as  between  the 
United  States  and  foreign  powers.  Formerly  it 
was  not  so ;  but  in  the  time  of  President  Madison, 
an  occasion  arising  where  the  representative  of 
a  monarchy  questioned  the  principle  of  coequailty 
in  the  United  States,  on  the  asserted  ground  of 
Republics  being  of  secondary  dignity,  the  ruk^ 
was  established,  and  has  since  been  adhered  to. 


Jm 
land's 
were 
small- 
Mrs. 
and  so 
The  c 
conver 
DueiJin 
among 
rare ;   i 
engage( 
club,  c( 
scrutiny 
quarrels 
hut  that 
he  woul( 
did  not  c 
occasion 
where  ri 
manners 
to  have  1 
tlemen  si 
tions.    I 


1818.] 


COURT   OF   LONDON. 


101 


and 
1  its 
the 
^ly  it 
lison, 
of 
[lailty 
id  of 
rule 


January  31.  Dined  at  the  Earl  of  Westmore- 
land's, at  his  residence,  Grosvenor  square.  Forms, 
were  as  at  Lord  Castlereagh's.  The  party  was 
small — Sir  John  and  Lady  Ann  Becket,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Patterson  of  Baltimore,  the  Danish  minister, 
and  some  members  of  Lord  Westmoreland's  family. 
The  cheerful  manner  of  his  lordship  promoted 
conversation.  Much  of  it  related  to  England. 
Duelling  was  spoken  of.  His  lordship  said,  that 
among  private  gentlemen  in  England,  it  was  very 
rare;  that  if  a  person  from  this  class  had  been 
engaged  in  a  duel,  and  applied  for  admission  to  a 
club,  composed  of  gentlemen,  there  would  be  a 
scrutiny ;  and  unless  it  appeared  that  he  was  not 
quarrelsome,  he  would  be  in  danger  of  rejection ; 
but  that,  if  he  had  been  engaged  in  two^  he  believed 
he  would  certainly  be  black  balled.  His  lordship 
did  not  condemn  duelling.  He  only  meant,  that  the 
occasions  of  it  in  private  life  were  so  few  in  classes 
where  right  maxims  and  the  restraints  of  good 
manners  prevailed,  that  he  w  hose  misfortune  it  w  as 
to  have  had  two  duels  on  his  hands,  would  find  gen- 
tlemen shy  of  him  as  an  associate  in  such  institu- 
tions.   It  was  upon  this  he  grounded  his  opinion. 


lo. 


102 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


His  lordship's  urbanity  made  the  evening  very 
pleasant,  and  it  was  not  until  a  late  hour  that  we 
got  home. 


I81S 


INTER 
TIOJ 
ERN 
BRn 
LUM 


Febt 
tlereag 

He 

diness 

to  a  sa 

the  tw( 

laid  bef 

of  Janu 

me   tha 

treaty  < 

sent  wc 

had  fix( 

to  this 


1818.] 


COURT    OP    LONDON. 


103 


V   CHAPTER  VII. 


INTERVIEW  WITH  LORD  CASTLEREAGH SLAVE  QUES- 
TION UNDER  THE  TREATY  OF  GHENT NORTH-WEST- 
ERN BOUNDARY  BETWEEN  THE  UNITED  STATES  AND 
BRITISH  POSSESSIONS POST  AT  THE  MOUTH  OF  CO- 
LUMBIA RIVER. 

February  1.  Had  an  interview  with  Lord  Cas- 
tlereagh. 

He  began  about  the  slaves ;  expressing  the  rea- 
diness he  would  ever  feel  in  endeavouring  to  bring 
to  a  satisfactory  close  all  points  in  dispute  between 
the  two  countries.  That  in  this  spirit  he  had 
laid  before  the  cabinet  my  proposal  of  the  third 
of  January  upon  this  subject ;  and  had  to  inform 
me  that  it  would  be  acceded  to.  But,  as  the 
treaty  of  Ghent  had  led  to  the  proposal,  the  as- 
sent would  be  under  the  rules  which  that  treaty 
had  fixed  in  relation  to  other  points.  That 
to  this    end,    he   wus*  prepared    to  give  effect, 


Co- 


I     -> 


,    ll 


■■"« 
'it 


104 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


substantially,  to  my  proposal  by  saying,  that 
his  government  was  willing  that  the  question 
about  the  slaves  should  also  go  before  commis- 
sioners 5*  and  in  the  event  of  their  not  concurring, 
that  resort  should  be  had  to  an  umpire,  as  pre- 
scribed by  the  fourth  and  subsequent  articles  of 
the  treaty  in  reference  to  territorial  claims.  That 
an  article  between  the  two  governments,  supple- 
mental to  the  treaty,  might  be  requisite  to  give  the 
proper  authority  for  this  proceeding.  That  as 
regarded  the  commissioners,  his  government  had 
no  objection  to  devolving  the  service  upon  some 
of  those  already  appointed  under  the  treaty,  unless 
mine  should  wish  new  appointments ;  that,  in  short, 
the  whole  machinery  of  that  instrument  should  be 
adopted  in  settling  the  conflict  of  opinion  about 
the  slaves. 

Finishing  upon  this  point,  he  went  to  another. 
The  present  he  said  appeared  to  be  a  favourable 
time  for  putting  in  train  for  settlement,  claims  to 
territory,  other  than  those  comprehended  in  the 
treaty  of  Ghent.  That  it  belonged  to  a  proper 
forecast,  to  aim,  at  extinguishing  in  a  friendly  way 
seeds  of  future  controversy,  while  the  subjects 
were  of  no  great  present  importance,  but  liable 
to  become  so  in  future.    That  such  considerations 


I  h 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


105 


led  him  to  hope,  that  the  government  of  the  United 
States  would  not  be  disinclined  to  measures  having 
in  view  the  final  settlement  of  that  part  of  the 
north-western  boundary  line  contemplated  in  the 
old  treaty  between  the  two  countries  of  1783 ;  he 
meant,  the  line  from  the  most  north-western  point 
of  the  Lake  of  the  Woods,  to  the  Mississippi.  Ac- 
cordingly he  had  to  say,  that  the  adoption  of  mea- 
sures for  accomplishing  this  object,  would  be  highly 
acceptable  to  the  British  government.  The  treaty 
of  Ghent,  he  thought,  would  form  a  guide  equally 
convenient  for  fulfilling  the  intentions  of  the  par- 
ties in  this  instance  also.  Should  his  proposal  be 
acquiesced  in,  another  supplemental  article  might 
be  added  to  the  treaty,  to  give  it  eflfect,  and 
new  commissioners  be  appointed;  or,  as  before 
suggested,  those  already  appointed,  perform  the 
duty. 

Lastly,  he  came  to  the  affair  of  the  post  at 
Columbia  river.  A  despatch  from  Mr.  Bagot,  he 
said,  had  informed  the  British  government  that  the 
United  States  were  about  to  take  possession  of 
that  post,  by  sending  out  an  armed  ship;  and  he 
had  to  express  the  regret  felt  at  this  measure.  It 
was  to  have  been  wished,  he  remarked,  that  before 
the  ship  sailed,  notice  had  been  given  to  his 
14 


4 


l'^' , 


■I 


l^. 


|k 


1 


■•*•■■ -^ 


■< 

j^ 


I 


IOC) 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


1818 


!K:^' 


majesty's  minister  in  Washington  of  her  destina- 
tion, Great  Britain  having  a  claim  of  dominion  over 
that  territory.  He  proceeded  to  inform  me,  that 
Mr.  Bagot  had  sent  in  a  remonstrance  upon  the 
occasion ;  to  which,  at  the  last  dates,  no  answer 
had  been  received.  He  closed  by  saying,  that  it 
was  the  desire  of  his  government  to  submit  a  pro- 
posal that  the  question  of  title  to  this  territory 
should,  as  in  the  two  other  cases,  go  before  com- 
missioners, and  be  governed  in  all  other  re- 
spects by  the  precedent  of  the  treaty  of  Ghent ; 
annexing  to  it  a  third  supplemental  article  as  the 
groundwork  of  contingent  arbitration  before  some 
friendly  sovereign. 

To  his  proposals  and  remarks  I  made  such  re- 
plies as  they  seemed  to  call  for ;  and  first  as  to 
the  post  on  the  Columbia.  Nothing,  I  told  him, 
could  exceed  the  concern  I  felt  at  our  act  being 
viewed  in  the  light  presented  by  him,  and  nothing 
could  have  been  less  expected.  The  grounds  upon 
which  England  claimed  dominion,  were  unknown 
to  me ;  but  granting  that  she  had  a  claim,  was 
the  lawfulness  of  the  step  taken  by  the  United 
States,  to  be  questioned?  That  the  post  was  in 
their  possession  before  the  war  of  1812,  was 
admitted;  and  also,  that  it  had  fallen  by  capture 


into 
then, 
whicJ] 
reduce 
to  resi 
cases 
In  botl 
far  less 
we  noM 

His 

and  to  1 

tions  fo] 

of  obtai 

its  poss 

subsistin 


^ 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


107 


into  the  hands  of  Britain  during  the  war.  How 
then,  under  a  treaty  of  peace,  the  first  article  of 
which  stipulated  the  mutual  restitution  of  all  places 
reduced  by  the  arms  of  either  party,  w  as  our  right 
to  restitution  to  be  impeached  ?  I  mentioned  the 
cases  of  Nootka  Sound,  and  Falkland  Islands. 
In  both  these,  Great  Britain,  under  circmnstances 
far  less  strong,  had  asserted  the  principle  of  which 
we  now  claimed  the  benefit. 

His  lordship  admitted  our  right  to  restitution, 
and  to  be  the  party  in  possession,  when  negotia- 
tions for  the  title  were  going  on.  But  the  manner 
of  obtaining  it,  he  said,  was  to  be  lamented,  from 
its  possible  tendency  to  interrupt  the  harmony 
subsisting  between  the  two  countries.  He  sincerely 
hoped  it  would  not  have  that  effect,  and  added, 
that  to  forestall  all  risk  by  precautions  within  his 
power,  he  had  addres^:5d  a  note  to  the  lords  of  the 
admiralty,  and  one  to  lord  Bathurst  as  charged 
with  colonial  aflfairs,  desiring  that  prompt  orders 
might  be  issued  for  preventing  all  hostile  collision, 
either  at  the  post,  or  with  British  ships  in  its 
vicinity.  He  took  from  his  files  copies  of  these 
notes  and  read  them  to  me. 

I  said  that  although  it  was  scarcely  to  be  ex- 
pected that  I   could  yet  have   received    official 


%  t>  a 

•  1 


r 


108 


RESIDENCE  AT  THE 


[1818. 


:%;•"' !■ 


7' 


information  respecting  the  measure,  and  although, 
in  fact,  none  had  reached  me,  I  was  entirely  con- 
fident that  it  had  originated  in  no  unfriendly 
feeling.  Nor  was  it  believed  that  any  thing  es- 
sentially due  to  Great  Britain,  had  been  omitted. 
It  had  so  happened,  I  remarked,  that  I  had  some 
knowledge  myself,  of  the  intentions  of  my  govern- 
ment at  the  time  the  measure  was  projected,  which 
enabled  me  with  the  less  scruple  to  speak  as  I  did. 
I  left  Washington,  it  was  true,  before  the  depar- 
ture of  the  ship ;  but  felt  sure,  that  there  could  have 
been  no  alteration  in  the  amicable  views  that  had 
suggested  her  voyage  to  those  seas ;  and,  above 
all,  I  knew,  that  the  employment  of  force  as  a 
means  of  reinstating  ourselves  under  the  treaty  had 
in  nowise  been  in  contemplation. 

These  assurances  appeared  to  have  the  proper 
influence  in  placing  the  transaction  in  its  true  lights. 
The  post  came  peaceably  into  our  possession,  and 
the  case  was  not  subsequently  revived  as  one  of 
complaint. 

As  regarded  the  north-western  boundary  line, 
I  remarked,  that  this  subject  had  no  place  in  my 
instructions.  An  article  to  the  effect  of  his  pro- 
posal, had  once  been  inserted  in  a  convention  be- 
tween the  two  governments,  but  expunged  by  that 


of  th 
was, ; 
direct 
not,  a 
treaty 
down, 
limits  ( 
to  ren( 
be  to  1 
be  (ur  J 
tion,  wi 
aging  t( 
Final 
authorii 
from  th 
nothing 
continue 
States,  I 
in  the  ^ 
gia,*  am 
adhered 
this  poir 
in  opinio 
Still,  I  hi 
dent  wo 
proposal 


!  T 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


109 


of  the  United  States.  The  ground  of  objection 
was,  that  the  only  Hne  that  could  be  run  in  the 
direction  proposed  under  the  treaty  of  1783,  would 
not,  as  had  been  ascertained  since  the  date  of  the 
treaty,  strike  the  Mississippi;  and  to  run  it  lower 
down,  would  bring  it  through  territory  within  the 
limits  of  the  United  States.  Great  Britain  was  free 
to  renew  the  proposal;  all  that  I  could  do,  would 
be  to  transmit  it  to  my  government,  and  it  would 
be  fur  his  lordship  to  judge  how  far  the  past  rejec- 
tion, with  the  unchanged  ground  of  it,  was  discour- 
aging to  another  attempt. 

Finally,  as  to  the  slaves.  I  said,  that  I  had  no 
authority  to  assent  to  the  proposal  as  modified 
from  that  of  my  predecessor,  which  I  had  done 
nothing  more  !than  renew.  That  much  anxiety 
continued  to  exist  on  this  subject  in  the  United 
States,  as  might  be  inferred  from  the  late  resolution 
in  the  Senate,  submitted  by  Mr.  Troup,  of  Geor- 
gia; and  that  the  fact  of  each  government  having 
adhered  to  its  own  construction  of  the  treaty  on 
this  point,  afforded  little  presage  of  a  concurrence 
in  opinion  by  commissioners  to  be  chosen  by  each. 
Still,  I  had  every  reason  to  think  that  the  Presi- 
dent would  view  as  friendly,  the  principle  of  the 
proposal;  for  whilst  it  did  hold  out  a  preliminary 


110 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


step  of  no  very  probable  efficacy,  it  came  at  last 
to  our  own  overture.  I  would  gladly  therefore, 
transmit  it  for  his  consideration,  assuming  as  I  did, 
that  this  subject  of  compensation  for  slaves  would 
be  acted  upon  by  itself,  in  the  event  of  obstacles 
being  found  to  lie  in  the  way  of  the  two  others. 

To  this  his  lordship  did  not  yield  his  assent.    He 
hoped  that  I  presupposed  an  imaginary  case,  ab- 
staining in  this  way  from  a  positive  refusal  at  first. 
He  afterwards,   in    effect,    embodied  one  in  the 
remark,  that  as  each  government  had  objects  of 
its  own  in  view,  the  three  propositions  ought  in  his 
opinion  to  be  classed  together,  awaiting  a  common 
assent  or  rejection.    I  combatted  this  doctrine. 
The  carrying  off  of  the  slaves,  involved  a  case  of 
palpable   injury,   and,  as  we   also   contended,  of 
wrong;  one  that  brought  loss  to  all,  and  ruin  to 
some,  of  the  proprietors.    The  fundamental  laws 
of  the  union  guaranteed  to  our  southern  planters 
as  sure  a  property  in  their  slaves,  as  in  their  houses 
and  lands ;  and  as  well  might  the  two  last  be  taken 
from  them  as  the  first.    The  two  other  proposi- 
tions rested  upon  ancient,  undefined,  claims;  not 
pressing  in  their  nature,  or  any  of  their  consequen- 
ces.   The  case  of  the  slaves,  moreover,  sprung  out 
of  the  treaty  of  Ghent,  and  was  peculiarly  entitled 


1818. 

to  the 

contn 

extrin 

even  j 

it  seer 

depenc 

tions. 

But 

his  ion 

tions  c 

The  ini 

closed  1 

ceeded 

warded 

in  addi 

to  me. 


I  I 


1818.] 


COURT  OP  LONDON. 


in 


to  the  benefits  of  its  equitable  example  in  settling 
controversies.  The  other  two  subjects  were  wholly 
extrinsic.  Whatever  rights  or  expectations  might 
even  justly  be  coupled  with  them  by  Great  Britain, 
it  seemed  proper  that  they  should  stand  upon  in- 
dependent ground.  It  was  so  that  I  drew  distinc- 
tions. 

But  I  perceived  no  change  in  what  were  at  least 
his  lordship's  first  impressions,  that  the  three  ques- 
tions ought  to  be  dealt  with  in  the  same  way. 
The  interview  was  extended  to  much  length,  and 
closed  by  his  saying,  that  as  all  the  proposals  pro- 
ceeded from  his  government,  they  would  be  for- 
warded to  Mr.  Bagot  for  the  information  of  mine, 
in  addition  to  the  communication  of  them  made 
to  me. 


C 


*s  a 


SI  ■  .*IM 


•mr 


l'if>:  * 


**■!' 


H 


tjr 


1 

.  •■■« 

'•■I 

»*■ 

'%. 

J6^ 


112 


RESIDENCE    AT   THE 


[1818. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 


RECEPTION  BY  THE  PRINCE  REGENT.   THE  LEVEE. 

ROYAL  FAMILY. 


February  9.  Received  a  note  from  Lord  Cas- 
tlereagh,  informing  me  that  the  Prince  Regent  had 
appointed  Thursday  the  twelfth,  for  my  reception, 
at  Carlton  House,  at  a  quarter  past  two,  previous 
to  the  levee. 


February  12.  Had  my  reception.  A  competent 
knowledge  of  the  world  may  serve  to  guide  any 
one  in  the  common  walks  of  life,  wherever  he  may 
be  thrown ;  more  especially  if  he  carry  with  him 
the  cardinal  maxim  of  good  breeding  every  where, 
a  wish  to  please,  and  unwillingness  to  offend. 
But  if,  even  in  private  society,  there  are  rules  not 
to  be  known  but  by  experience,  and  if  these  differ 
in  different  places,  I  could  not  feel  wholly  insensible 
to  the  approach  of  an  occasion  so  new  to  me.  My 
first  desire  was,  not  to  fail  in  the  public  duties  of 


1818.] 


\       \ 


COURT    OP   LONDON. 


113 


my  mission ;  the  next,  to  pass  properly  through  the 
scenes  of  official  and  personal  ceremony,  to  which 
it  exposed  me.  At  the  head  of  them,  was  my  in- 
troduction to  the  sovereign.  I  desired  to  do  all 
that  full  respect  required,  but  not  more:  yet — the 
external  observances  of  it — what  were  they? 
They  defy  exact  definition  beforehand,  and  I  had 
never  seen  them.  From  the  restraints  too,  that 
prevail  in  these  spheres,  lapses,  if  you  fall  into 
them,  are  little  apt  to  be  told  to  you ;  which  in- 
creases your  solicitude  to  avoid  them.  I  had,  in 
some  of  my  intercourse,  caught  the  impression,  that 
simpUcity  was  considered  best  adapted  to  such  an 
introduction;  also,  that  the  Prince  Regent  was 
not  thought  to  be  fond  of  set  speeches.  This  was 
all  that  I  could  collect.  But  simplicity,  all  know, 
is  a  relative  idea,  and  often  attainable,  in  the 
right  sense,  only  through  the  highest  art,  and  on 
full  experience. 

I  arrived  before  the  hour  appointed.  My  carriage 
having  the  entre,  or  right  to  the  private  entrance, 
I  went  through  St.  James's  Park,  and  got  to  Carl- 
ton House  by  the  paved  way,  through  the  gardens. 
Even  this  approach,  was  already  filled  with  car- 
riages. I  was  set  down  at  a  side  door,  where 
stood  servants  in  the  Prince's  livery.  Gaining 
15 


■J 


if,    , 

St*,,-. 


.) 

.  > 

••'» 

'-4.. 


114 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


1818 


1'    • 


the  hall,  persons  were   seen  in  various  costumes. 
Among  them  were  yeomen  of  the  guard  with  hal- 
berds in  their  hands ;  they  had  velvet  hats  with 
wreaths  round  them,  and  rosettes  in  their  shoes. 
From  the  court  yard,  which  opened  through  the 
columns  of  a  fine  portico,  bands  of  music  were 
heard.     Carriages,  as  in  a  s  iream,  were  approach- 
ing by  this  access  through  the  double  gates  that 
separated    the   royal   residence   from   the   street. 
The   company   arriving   by  this   access,   entered 
through  the  portico,  and  turned  off  to  the  right.    I 
went  to  the  left,  through  a  vestibule,  Lading  to 
other  rooms,  into  which  none  went  but  those  hav- 
ing the  entre.    These  consisted  of  cabinet  minis- 
ters, the  diplomatic  corps,  persons  in  chief  employ- 
ment about  the  court,  and  a  few  others,  the  privi- 
lege being  in  high  esteem.     Knights  of  the  Garter 
appeared  to  have  it,  for  I  observed  their  insigniuni 
round  the  knee  of  several.     There  was  the  lord 
steward  with  his  badge  of  office ;  the  lord  chamber- 
lain with  his ;  gold  stick,  and   silver   stick.     The 
foreign  ambassadors  and  ministers,  wore  their  na- 
tional  costumes;    the  cabinet  ministers,  such  as 
we  see  in  old  portraits,  with  bag  and  sword;  the 
lord  chancellor  and  other  functionaries  of  the  law, 
had  black  silk  gowns,  with   full  wigs;  the  bishops 


andd 

silk. 

these 

Jookec 

scribei 

brokes 

person 

those  ( 

here  yc 

engage! 

of  a  wir 

so  on. 

Half  an 

master 

minutes 

Spanish 

in  turn. 

monies 

Openil 
^*rince  ^1 
him.     N 


ing   in 
proachecj 
in  the  cm 

*'  FROM 
API'OIM 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


115 


and  dignitaries  of  the  clmrch,  had  aprons  of  black 
silk.  The  walls  were  covered  with  paintings.  If 
these  were  historical,  so  were  the  rooms.  As  I 
looked  through  them,  I  thought  of  the  scenes  de- 
scribed by  Doddington ;  of  the  Pelhams,  the  Boling- 
brokes,  the  Hillsboroughs ;  of  the  anecdotes  and 
personalities  of  the  English  court  and  cabinet  in 
those  days.  The  company  stood  conversing; — 
here  you  Sciw  an  ambassador  and  cabinet  minister 
engaged — there  a  couple  of  the  latter — hi  the  recess 
of  a  window,  a  bishop  and  the  lord  chancellor ;  and 
so  on.  The  Prince  had  not  yet  left  his  apartment. 
Half  an  hour  went  by,  when  Sir  Robert  Chester, 
master  of  ceremonies,  said  to  me,  that  in  a  few 
minutes  he  would  conduct  me  to  the  Prince.  The 
Spanish  ambassador  had  gone  in,  and  I  was  next 
in  turn.  When  he  came  out,  the  master  of  cere- 
monies advanced  with  me  to  the  door. 

Opening  it,  he  left  me.  I  centered  alone,  'i'he 
Prince  was  standing,  with  Lord  ('astlereugh  by 
him.  No  one  else  was  in  the  room.  Hold- 
ing in  my  hand  the  letter  of  ."••edence,  I  ap- 
proached, as  to  a  [)rivatc  gentleman,  and  said, 
in  the  connnon  tone  of  convcu'sation,   that  il    Mas, 

"  FROM    IHK     PrKSIDF.M    OI     IHB  UnI  TKD  S  i  A1  ES, 
APPOIMlMi     ME      IHEIH      ENVOY      E\  I  RAORHIN  ARY 


C~ 


II 

Si-. 


■>Jt 


r-rs 


1 


,1 » 


1 


n 


116 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


AND  MINISTER  PLENIPOTENTIARY  AT  THE  COURT 
OF  HIS  ROYAL  HIGHNESS  ;  AND  THAT  I  HAD  BEEN 
DIRECTED  BY  THE  PRESIDENT  TO  SAY,  THAT  I 
COULD    IN    NO    WAY    BETTER    SERVE    THE    UnITED 

States,  or  gain  his  approbation  than  by  using 

ALL  MY  endeavours  TO  STRENGTHEN  AND  PRO- 
LONG THE  GOOD  UNDERSTANDING  THAT  HAPPILY 
SUBSISTED  BETWEEN  THE  TWO  COUNTRIES."     The 

Prince  took  the  letter  and  handed  it  to  Lord  Cas- 
tlereagh.  He  then  said  that  he  would  "  ever  be 
ready  on  his  part  to  act  upon  the  sentiments 
i  had  expressed:  that  i  might  assure  the 
President  of  this,  for  that  he  sincerely  de- 
sired TO  KEEP  UP  AND  IMPROVE  THE  FRIENDLY 
RELATIONS  SUBSISTING  BETWEEN  THE  TWO  NA- 
TIONS, WHICH   HE    REGARDED  AS  SO   MUCH  TO    THE 

ADVANTAGE  OF  BOTH."  I  replied  that  I  would 
do  SO. 

The  purpose  of  the  interview  seeming  to  be  ac- 
comphshed,  I  had  supposed  it  would  here  end,  and 
was  about  to  withdraw ;  but  the  Prince  prolonged 
it.  He  congratulated  me  on  my  arrival.  He  in- 
quired for  the  health  of  Mr.  Adams,  and  spoke  of 
others  who  had  preceded  me  in  the  mission,  going 
back  as  far  as  the  first  Mr.  Pinckney.  Of  him, 
and   Mr.   King,   his  inquiries  were  minute.     Ho 


1818.] 


COURT   OP   LONDON. 


117 


made  others,  which  it  gave  me  still  more  pleasure 
to  answer.  He  asked  if  I  knew  the  ladies  from 
my  country,  then  in  England,  who  had  made  such 
favourable  impressions  in  their  society,  naming 
Mrs.  Patterson,  since  Marchioness  of  Wellesley, 
and  her  sisters,  the  Miss  Catons  of  Maryland.  I 
replied  that  I  did,  and  responded  to  his  gratifying 
notice  of  these  my  fair  countrywomen.  A  few 
more  remarks  on  the  climate  of  the  two  countries, 
closed  the  audience. 

It  would  be  out  of  place  in  me  to  portray  the 
exterior  quahties  of  this  monarch.  The  com- 
manding union  of  them  has  often  been  a  theme  in 
his  own  dominions.  He  was  then  in  his  fifty- 
sixth  year ;  but  in  fine  health,  and  maintaining  the 
erect,  ambitious  carriage  of  early  life.  I  will 
only  say,  that  he  made  his  audience  of  for- 
eign ministers  a  pleasurable  duty  to  them,  in- 
stead of  a  repulsive  ceremony.  The  envoy  extra- 
ordinary and  minister  plenipotentiary  from  Sicily 
and  Naples,  Count  Ludolf,  had  his  reception  imme- 
diately after  mine. 

When  the  Prince  came  from  his  apartment, 
called  in  the  language  of  palaces  his  closet^  into 
the  entre  rooms,  I  presented  to  him  Mr.  John 
Adams  Smith,  as  public  secretary  of  the  legation, 


«.■■■;■•;  J 
•tj« 


It 


M 


iviK" 


«* 


-1 


|i 


118 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


^" 


»v.. 


and  Mr.  Ogle  Tayloe,  as  attached  to  it  personally. 
Other  special  presentations  took  place ;  amongst 
them,  that  of  the  Prince  of  Hesse  Homberg,  by 
Lord  S<5wart,  both  distinguished  in  the  then  re- 
cent battles  of  the  continent.  The  Prince  Regent 
moved  about  these  rooms,  until  he  had  addressed 
every  body;  all  waiting  his  salutation.  Doors 
hitherto  shut,  now  opened,  when  a  new  scene  ap- 
peared. You  beheld,  in  a  gorgeous  mass,  the  com- 
pany that  had  turned  off  to  the  right.  The  open- 
ing of  the  doors  was  the  signal  for  the  commence- 
ment of  the  general  levee.  I  remained  with  others 
to  see  it.  All  passed,  one  by  one,  before  the 
Prince,  each  receiving  a  momentary  salutation.  To 
a  few  he  addressed  conversation,  but  briefly;  as  it 
stopped  the  line.  All  were  in  rich  costume.  Men 
of  genius  and  science  were  there ;  the  nobility  were 
numerous ;  so  were  the  military.  There  were  from 
forty  to  fifty  generals ;  perhaps  as  many  admirals, 
with  throngs  of  officers  of  rank  inferior.  1  re- 
marked upon  the  number  of  wounded.  Who  is 
that,  I  asked,  pallid,  but  with  a  countenance  so  ani- 
mated ?  "  ThaCs  General  Walker,'*^  I  was  told, "  who 
was  pierced  with  bayonets^  whilst  leading  on  the  as- 
sault at  Badajos ;"  and  ho,  close  by,  tall  but  lin)p- 
ing  (   "  Colonel  Ponsonhi/ ;  he  was  left  for  dead  of 


upoi 
priv( 
the 
fourt 
at  T 
in  Ai 
scars 
them 
fough 
were  i 
was  t 
earnec 
read  ii 
The  fy 
by  rec 
had  eh 
had  be 
fiercen( 
For,  so 
their  oM 
Taki 
have  pa 
rooms,  j 
disperse 
tering  g 


1818.] 


COURT    OP    LONDON. 


119 


Waterloo  ;  the  cavalry  it  was  thought  had  trampled 
upon  him.^^  Then  came  one  of  like  port,  but  de- 
prived of  a  leg,  and  as  he  moved  slowly  onward, 
the  whisper  went,  "  That''s  Lord  Anglesea.''''  A 
fourth  had  been  wounded  at  Seringapatam ;  a  fifth 
at  Talavera ;  some  had  suffered  in  Egypt ;  some 
in  America.  There  were  those  who  had  received 
scars  on  the  deck  with  Nelson ;  others  who  carried 
them  from  the  days  of  Howe.  One,  yes  one,  had 
fought  at  Saratoga.  It  was  so  that  my  inquiries 
were  answered.  All  had  "  done  their  duty  ;"  this 
was  the  favourite  praise  bestowed.  They  had 
earned  a  title  to  come  before  their  sovereign,  and 
read  in  his  recognition  their  country's  approbation. 
The  great  number  of  wounded  was  accounted  for 
by  recollecting,  that  little  more  than  two  years 
had  elapsed  since  the  armies  and  fleets  of  Britain 
had  been  liberated  from  wars  of  extraordinary 
fierceness  and  duration  in  all  parts  of  the  globe. 
For,  so  it  is,  other  nations  chiefly  fight  on  or  near 
their  own  territory;  the  English  every  where. 

Taking  the  whole  line,  perhaps  a  thousand  must 
have  passed.  Its  current  flowed  through  the  entre 
rooms,  got  onward  to  the  vestibule,  and  was  finally 
dispersed  in  the  great  hall,  where  it  stood  in  glit- 
tering groups  and  fragments.     Tlioso  who  com- 


r 


'■•»■* 
u       '"I 


M-l 


r  ' 


-4. 


120 


RESIDENCE    AT   THE 


[1818. 


;iy;P:w^ 


rW*:^^;- 


posed  them,  found  themselves  there,  by  a  course 
reverse  to  that  of  their  entrance,  and  went  away 
through  the  grand  portico,  as  their  carriages  were 
successively  called  up  by  the  servants  of  the  palace. 
The  whole  ceremony  lasted  until  past  five. 
When  it  was  over,  I  called  upon  each  member  of 
the  royal  family;  a  mark  of  respect  omitted  by  no 
foreign  minister  after  being  received  by  the  sove- 
reign. The  call  is  made  by  inscribing  your  name 
in  books  kept  at  their  several  residences.  The 
royal  family  were — of  the  male  branches, — the 
Duke  of  York,  the  Duke  of  Clarence,  (now  Wil- 
liam IV.),  the  Duke  of  Kent,  the  Duke  of  Cumber- 
land, the  Duke  of  Sussex,  the  Duke  of  Cambridge, 
and  the  Duke  of  Gloucester.  Of  the  female  branch- 
es— the  Duchess  of  Gloucester,  the  Princess  Au- 
gusta, the  Princess  Elizabeth,  the  Princess  Sophia, 
and  Princess  Sophia  Matilda.  Prince  Leopold 
(present  king  of  Belgium,)  husband  of  the  late  Prin- 
cess Charlotte,  shared  the  same  attentions;  as  did 
the  Duchesses  of  York  and  Cumberland.  How  far 
it  may  be  necessary  for  a  distant  Republic,  whose 
genius  is  entirely  different  from  the  ancient  govern- 
ments of  Europe,  to  exchange  with  the  latter,  diplo- 
matic representatives  of  the  hirln  ;•  class,  may  be 
a  question ;  but  it  can  be  none  whether,  when  once 


I 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


121 


sent,  they  shall  offer  all  the  appropriate  marks  of 
respect  which  the  usages  of  the  world  accord  to 
sovereigns,  and  those  in  immediate  connexion  with 
them.  To  withhold  or  stint  them,  would  be  in 
conflict  with  the  purposes  of  the  diplomatic  office. 
It  was  m  this  feeling  that,  during  my  residence,  I 
thought  it  proper  never  to  be  absent  from  a  levee, 
or  pretermit  in  anywise  attentions  to  the  royal 
family  paid  by  other  foreign  ministers ;  and  I  will 
take  occasion  to  add,  that  I  did  not  find  an  insen- 
sibility to  the  just  motives  of  such  a  course. 

It  will  be  in  unison  with  my  narrative  to  insert 
a  copy  of  the  letter  of  credence  I  delivered  to  the 
Prince  Regent.  It  followed  the  established  for- 
mulary, when  the  United  States  send  ministers  to 
foreign  courts.  An  eminent  individual  in  England 
once  asked  me  what  the  form  was,  from  republics 
to  monarchies.  The  answer  is  easy.  The  head 
of  a  republic,  however  appointed  or  chosen,  re- 
presents, for  the  time  being,  its  collective  power 
and  dignity.  To  foreign  nations,  he  is  the  visible 
image  of  its  sovereignty,  and  speaks  to  monarchs 
clothed  with  its  attributes.  The  letter  will  afford 
at  the  same  time  a  specimen  of  the  i)cculiar  style 
adopted  by  nations  when  speaking  to  each  other 
through  the  personalities  centring  in  their  executive 
16  ^ 


,** 


.1 

n 

r 


122 


RESIDENCE    AT  THE 


[1818. 


heads.  It  is  in  these  words:  "James  Monroe, 
"  President  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
"  TO  HIS  Royal  Highness  the  Prince  Regent  of 
"the  United  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain  and 
"  Ireland  :  Great  and  Good  Friend  :  /  have  made 
"  choice  of  Richard  Rush,  to  reside  near  your  Royal 
^''Highness  in  quality  of  envoy  extraordinary  and. 
^^  minister  plenipotentiary  of  the  United  States  of 
"  America,  He  is  well  informed  of  the  relative  in- 
^^  terests  of  the  two  countries,  and  of  our  sincere 
"  desire  to  cultivate  and  strengthen  the  friendship 
"  and  good  correspondence  between  us  ;  and  from  a 
"  knowledge  of  his  fidelity,  probity,  and  good  con- 
"  duct,  I  have  entire  confidence  that  he  will  render 
"  himself  acceptable  to  your  Royal  Highness  by  his 
^'constant  endeavours  to  preserve  and  advance  the 
"  interests  and  happiness  of  both  nations,  I  there- 
^''fore  request  your  Royal  Highness  to  receive  him 
^'favourably,  and  to  give  full  credence  to  whatever 
'''he  shall  say  on  the  part  of  the  United  States,  and 
"  most  of  all  when  he  shall  assure  you  of  their  friend- 
'' ship  and  wishes  for  your  prosperity;  and  I  pray 
"  God  to  ham  your  Royal  Highness  in  his  safe  and 
"  holy  keeping.  Written  at  the  city  of  Washington 
''the  thirty  first  day  of  October,  Anno  Domini  one 
"  thousand  eight  hundred  and  seventeen.     By  your 


181^ 

"goc 

"Adt 

Tl 

Rege 

poten 

talis  i 

conch 

out. 

My 

official 

at    th( 

diplom 

over  tl: 

it,)  bee 

ing  thi 

identifii 

the  lor 

master 

attache! 

the  cab 

was  lor 

land  are 

ments, 

as  to  all 

propriety 


"*rt» 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


123 


"good    friend,    James   Monroe.      John     Quincy 
^^  Adams,  Secretary  of  State,'*'' 

The  letter  of  credence  from  the  King,  r  Prince 
Regent,  of  England,  on  sending  a  minister  pleni- 
potentiary to  the  United  States,  is  the  same  mu- 
tatis mutandis,  in  its  formal  commencement  and 
conclusion;  and  substantially  the  same  through- 
out. 

My  reception  having  established  me  in  full 
official  standing  with  the  British  court,  I  left  cards 
at  the  houses  of  the  cabinet  ministers  and 
diplomatic  corps.  The  former  have  precedence 
over  the  latter,  (though  in  England  they  often  wave 
it,)  because  sharing  the  confidence  and  administer- 
ing the  powers  of  the  sovereign,  they  become 
identified,  so  far,  with  his  dignity.  I  visited  also 
the  lord  high  steward,  lord  Chamberlain,  the 
master  of  the  horse,  and  a  few  others,  personally 
attached  to  the  royal  household.  The  only  one  of 
the  cabinet  upon  whom  I  had  called  previously, 
was  lord  Castlereagh.  Cabinet  ministers  in  Eng- 
land are  exempt,  owing  to  their  constant  engage- 
ments, from  returning  visits  to  foreign  ministers, 
as  to  all  others, — a  rule  of  obvious  good  sense  and 
propriety ;  nevertheless,  the  courtesy  of  lord  Cas- 


t 


i;-;'.'iu««» 


e 

":> 

1 

1  T 

•> 

^\ 

1  ' 

JSm^ 


124 


RESIDENCE  AT  THE 


[1818. 


1818 


l!|pvKj» 


■^4 
"4 


tlereagh  had  spontaneously  returned  mine,  which 
I  took  as  a  mark  of  respect  to  my  country. 

It  was  so  that  I  aimed  at  going  through  the 
obhgations  of  ceremony,  as  I  found  them  estab- 
hshed  at  this  court.  I  may  have  dwelled  on  them 
the  longer  because  they  were  new  to  me ;  but  not 
too  long.  I  do  not  discuss  their  importance,  but 
give  them  as  facts.  The  philosopher  may  rail  at 
them ;  but,  in  his  philosophy,  he  may  discover,  if 
candid,  matter  for  raillery  too.  In  the  machinery 
of  political  as  social  life,  the  smallest  parts  are 
often  those  that  give  impulse  to  the  greatest  move- 
ments. If  we  visit  a  strange  country,  scan  its 
general  population,  enter  its  farm  houses,  its  cot- 
tages, its  work  shops,  we  are  permitted  to  speak 
of  appearances  and  habits  that  on  all  sides  arrest 
the  eye,  and  challenge  observation.  May  we  not, 
with  a  guarded  freedom,  do  the  same  of  the  high 
places  of  the  world  ?  In  the  modes  of  life  prevail- 
ing in  each,  we  behold  the  component  parts  of  the 
grand  whole.  If  the  springs  of  power  issue  from 
the  former,  it  is  in  the  latter,  under  monarchies, 
that  its  agents  dwell;  and  perhaps  if  the  real  feel- 
ings that  exist  in  each  could  be  better  known  to 
the  other,  jealousies  might  be  softened,  more 
frequently  than  increased. 


It 

the  g 
lie  de 
forms 
not  in 
ernme 
ful,  pc 
ward 
ofJenc( 
when 
his  pa 
treasur 
plied  to 
fondneg 
— Maji 
Cromw( 
had  a  st 
flags  in 
We  ha\ 
a  sensil 
been  a 
virtue,  si 
were  to 
when  CO] 
with  the 
is  not  pr( 


1818.]  COURT  OF  LONDON.  1  :5 

It  may  be  thought  that  the  formaiB  Atail,  re 
the  growth  only  of  monarchical  soils.  Their  roots 
lie  deeper.  If  none  but  republics  existed,  other 
forms  would  arise,  differing  in  circumstance,  but 
not  in  essence.  In  the  genius  of  the  latter  gov- 
ernments, there  is  a  sternness,  as  they  grow  power- 
ful, peculiarly  opposed  to  giving  up  claims  to  out- 
ward reverence.  The  Roman  senate  took  more 
offence  at  Caesar's  refusal  to  rise  on  an  occasion 
when  they  intended  to  do  him  honour,  than  at 
his  passing  the  Rubicon  or  seizing  upon  the 
treasury.  The  title  of  majesty  is  modern,  as  ap- 
plied to  kings.  The  Romans  used  it  with  peculiar 
fondness,  says  Dryden,  in  reference  to  the  people 
— Majestas  populi  Romani.  The  first  treaty  that 
Cromwell  entered  into  with  the  United  Provinces, 
had  a  stipulation  that  their  ships  should  strike  their 
flags  in  British  seas,  to  the  "  Republic,"  of  England. 
We  have  seen  in  our  own  day,  with  how  prompt 
a  sensibility  President  Madison,  whose  life  has 
been  a  model  of  dignity  as  of  public  and  private 
virtue,  stood  upon  the  point  of  form,  when  treaties 
were  to  be  signed;  nor  was  he  less  scrupulous, 
when  complimentary  salutes  w  ere  to  be  exchanged 
with  the  vessels  or  batteries  of  foreign  powers.  It 
is  not  probable  that  President  Jackson  would  yield 


% 


IW 


1 


■*t 


^■ 


ii- 


126 


RESIDENCE   AT  THE 


[1818. 


any  thing  upon  this,  or  any  other  estabhshed  form 
in  international  intercourse.  If  the  individual  of  just 
pride  is  he  who  respects  himself  whilst  he  respects 
others,  nations  will  ever  be  still  more  quick  to  the 
same  feeling,  and  all  its  external  manifestations. 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON, 


127 


I 


.  CHAPTER  IX. 


ATTEMPT  UPON  THE  LIFE  OF  THE  DUKE  OF  WELLINGTON. 
OLD  CUSTOMS  ABOUT  THE  COURT.  DINNER  AT  THE 
DANISH  MINISTER'S.  MOOSE,  DUDLEY  AND  FREDERICK 
ISLANDS.  PRIVATE  AUDIENCE  OF  THE  QUEEN.  THE 
DRAWING   ROOM.      DINNER  AT  LORD  CASTLEREAGH'S. 

February  16.  The  late  attempt  upon  the  life  of 
the  Duke  of  WeUington,  in  Paris,  is  a  topic.  He 
went  there  on  business  relating,  as  is  beheved,  to 
the  evacuation  of  France  by  the  army  of  occupa- 
tion, of  which  the  English  forms  a  part.  Return- 
ing to  his  hotel  at  midnight,  a  pistol  was  fired  at 
his  carriage.  One  of  his  aids  was  with  him.  No- 
body was  hurt.  The  report  collected  people,  and 
some  gendarmerie  went  in  pursuit.  The  Duke  made 
his  coachman  stop,  got  out,  and  looked  around. 
Such  is  the  account  I  hear.  I  learn  that  it  was 
transmitted  by  a  special  messenger  from  the 
French  king,  to  his  ambassador  at  this  court. 


%K':>* 

■■.'■um» 

I'gMii'M 

*             MJ* 

*■      ■■         •« 

.« •>•»• 

... «...        I J 

••:r    t; 

:■-  :    ^^;:r 

:•:-         ^^ 

f .»   ■■' 

'  *'■  1 

1» 

«.] 

t1 

r^ 

1 

t.. 

J^ 

128 


RESIDENCE  AT  THE 


[1818. 


(    • 


The  ambassador  repaired  to  Carlton  House,  to 
express  to  the  Prince  Regent  the  concern  felt  by 
his  sovereign,  with  assurances  that  all  means 
would  be  used  to  discover  the  offender  and  bring 
him  to  proper  punishment.  The  ambassador  after- 
wards went  to  Apsley  house,  the  residence  of  the 
Duke  of  Wellington,  to  express  to  his  family  ap- 
propriate sentiments  on  the  occasion. 

February  20.     Since  my  reception,  I  have  had 
calls  from  servants  of  official  persons  for  '•'•favours^ 
I  learned  the  signification  of  this  term  at  Ports- 
mouth.    They  had  no  warrant  from  their  masters, 
but  came   according  to  ancient  custom.    There 
have  also  been  to  me,   fraternities  more   nearly 
allied   to   the   Portsmouth   Bell   Ringers;   as  the 
"  Palace  drums   and  ffes^''   the  "  Royal  waits  and 
music,'*''  and,  a  third,  the  derivation  of  which  I  could 
not  understand,  and  which  no  external  symbols 
that   I    saw   denoted — the   ^' Kiniy''s  marrow-bones 
and  cleavers,''''    Each  presented  me  with  a  congna- 
tulatory  address.     Each  had  a  "  book  to  show,''''  All 
had  something  to  do  with  out-door  arrangements 
at  levees.    Contributions  from  such  sources  u])on 
the   diplomatic  stranger,  awakened,  at  first,  my 
surprise,  but  I  afterwards  heard  what  perhaps  nicay 


serv 
tion< 
race] 
thoui 
five  1 
from 
made 
such- 
the  Ja 
with 
so  in  1 
well  ti 
of  the 
poundj 
try  fori 
be  pre 
servan 
waits  ai 
novel 
pocket 
conside 
"  silver 
bells,  in 
Iflh 
others  o 
persons  < 


1818.] 


COURT   OF   LONDON. 


129 


serve  as  explanatory,  or  at  all  events,  is  fit  to  be  men- 
tioned.   Ambassadors  on  leaving  England,  always 
receive  from  the  British  government  a  present  of  a 
thousand    pounds ;    ministers   plenipotentiary,   of 
five  hundred.     If  then  on  their  first   arrival,  and 
from  time   to  time   afterwards,   applications  are 
made  to  them  for  ^''favours'''  by  those  in  menial  and 
such-like  situations  about  the  court  or  government, 
the  latter,  it  must  be  owned,  pays  back  again,  and 
with  no  stinted  hand.     I  do  not  hint  that  it  does 
so  in  the  light  of  an  indemnity,  but  the  customs  go 
well  together !    True,  the  minister  plenipotentiary 
of  the  United  States,  never  takes  the  five  hundred 
pounds  oflfered  to  him,  the  constitution  of  his  coun- 
try forbidding  it.     But  this  is  a  point  which  it  may 
be  presumed  he  does  not  stop  to  expound  to  the 
servants  of  the  foreign  secretary,  or  the  "  Royal 
waits  and  music,''''     It  would  doubtless  be  to  them  a 
novel  plea  in  bar,  for  not  putting  his  hand  in  his 
pocket !     Whenever  he  pays  for  music,  he  must 
consider  himself  as  having  an  equivalent  in  its 
"  silver  sounds ;"  as  in  the  case  of  the  Portsmouth 
bells,  in  their  animating  peals ! 

If  I  had  calls  like  these,  I  am  bound  to  mention 
others  of  a  difterent  description.  A  great  number  of 
persons  of  the  court  and  other  circles,  paid  me  visits. 

17 


If 


>»  ■ 


'1 


11 


130  RESIDENCE   AT   THE  [1818. 

Their  names  I  need  not  recount.  Of  the  hst,  were 
those  whose  acquaintance  any  one  might  regard  as 
a  source  of  gratification.  In  me,  the  feeling  was 
heightened,  as  it  marked  the  estimation  in  which  my 
country  was  held.  Intercourse  to  which  the  door 
thus  opened  in  my  favour,  was  afterwards  extended, 
leading  to  hospitalities  that  can  neither  pass  from 
the  memory,  nor  grow  cold  upon  the  heart. 

February  23.  At  a  dinner  at  the  Danish  minis- 
ter's, we  had  half  a  dozen  gentlemen ;  among  them, 
Sir  Humphry  Davy.  There  were  also  ladies. 
One  of  the  latter  spoke  of  Franklin  ;  he  was  a  cap- 
tivating writer — so  much  nature — so  much  genius; 
Mr.  Jefferson  had  said  that  to  see  the  junction  of 
two  of  our  rivers  where  one  breaks  through  a 
mountain,  was  worth  crossing  the  Atlantic;  but 
she  would  think  the  voyage  better  undertaken  to 
see  Franklin's  old  china  bowl  and  silver  spoon  his 
wife  bought  for  him ;  she  hoped  both  were  kept  ; 
it  would  be  sacrilege  to  let  them  perish.  I  was 
charmed  at  her  manner  of  saying  all  this.  Sir 
Humphry  took  his  share  in  the  conversation.  At 
the  first  words  of  this  great  chemist  and  philoso- 
pher, I  was  all  attention  ;  but  he  talked  of  neither 
chemistry  nor  [)hilosophy.     He  agreed  to  what  was 


1818 

said 

parin 

with 

sailor 

or  noj 

the  o( 

bad  p 

phers. 

th^  pei 

was  sc 

parties 

''the  fi 

the  jud 

ably  pr 

pleasinj 

He  tolc 

at  an  i 

house  ] 

had  bee 

clinatio] 

in  the  a 

pictures 

fine  ones 

rious  pre 

schools, 

had  bee: 


*    ! 


1818.] 


COURT  OP  LONDON. 


131 


said  of  Franklir.  He  spoke  of  the  expedition  pre- 
paring for  the  north  pole ;  it  was  fitted  up  he  said 
with  every  thing  but  a  philosopher ;  whether  the 
sailors  would  have  no  such  non-descript  on  board, 
or  none  would  consent  to  go,  he  could  not  say ; 
the  ocean  was  a  noble  dominion  for  nations,  but  a 
bad  place  for  landsmen ;  worst  of  all  for  philoso- 
phers. He  spoke  of  the  case  about  wager  of  bat- 
tle, pending  in  the  King's  Bench ;  the  very  argument 
was  so  like  a  legal  burlesque,  that  he  thought  the 
parties  had  better  be  allowed  to  fight  it  out  at  once, 
"/Ae  fancif  forming  a  ring,  while  parliament  and 
the  judges  looked  on.  His  elocution  was  remark- 
ably prompt  and  smooth.  In  society  he  seems  as 
pleasing,  as  in  the  lecture  room  he  is  profound. 
He  told  me  that  the  widow  of  Garrick  was  alive, 
at  an  advanced  age,  and  lived  not  far  from  the 
house  I  had  taken.  Mr.  Bourke,  our  kind  host, 
had  been  much  among  the  courts  of  Europe.  In- 
clination and  opportunity  had  improved  his  taste 
in  the  arts.  In  the  drawing  rooms  after  dinner, 
pictures  were  talked  of,  his  walls  showing  some 
fine  ones.  He  said,  that  in  distinguishing  the  va- 
rious productions  of  the  diflTercnt  masters,  of  all  the 
schools,  there  was  no  more  difiiculty,  where  the  eye 
had  been  practised  among  large  collections,  than 


132 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


in  distinguishing  the  faces  and  hand-writing  of  your 
hving  acquaintances. 


«  ' 


I    J 


February  24.  Inform  Lord  Castlereagh,  by  note, 
that  I  had  received  a  despatch  from  my  govern- 
ment communicating  to  me  the  information,  that 
the  commissioners  of  the  two  governments  under 
the  fourth  article  of  the  treaty  of  Ghent,  had  made 
their  final  report  at  New  York  on  the  twenty-fourth 
of  November;  by  vvhich  it  had  been  adjudged, 
that,  in  conformity  with  the  true  intent  of  the 
second  article  of  the  treaty  of  1783,  between  the 
two  countries.  Moose  Island,  Dudley  Island,  and 
Frederick  Island,  in  the  bay  of  Passamaquoddy, 
belong  to  the  United  States ;  and  that  all  the  other 
Islands  in  that  bay  fell  under  the  dommion  of  Great 
Britain.  I  added,  that  it  did  not  appear  that  any 
authority  had  been  vested  in  the  British  minister 
at  Washington,  in  the  governor  general  of  Canada, 
or  any  other  officer  of  his  Brittannic  Majesty  in 
America,  to  give  effect  to  this  decision;  and  re- 
quested, on  behalf  of  the  United  States,  that  the 
proper  authority  to  that  end  might  be  transmitted. 
This  was  soon  afterwards  done,  and  that  transac- 
tion closed. 


1818.] 


COURT   OF   LONDON. 


133 


February  25.  Having  brought  from  my  govern- 
ment, a  letter  of  credence  to  the  queen,  I  was  this 
day  presented  to  her.  It  was  called  a  private  pre- 
sentation, and  took  place  at  Buckingham  palace. 
An  exchange  of  notes  with  the  master  of  ceremo- 
nies, had  made  me  acquainted  with  the  previous 
arrangements.  Lord  Castlereagh  had  also  apprized 
me  of  them  in  a  private  note. 

I  got  to  the  palace  before  the  hour  fixed,  having 
been  given  to  understand  that  her  majesty  was 
extremely  punctual.  Servants  were  at  the  door, 
and  in  the  hall.  Ascending  an  ample  staircase, 
the  master  of  ceremonies  received  me  in  one  of 
the  rooms  of  a  suite,  all  open,  but  no  one  else  in 
them.  Precisely  when  five  o'clock  came,  he  con- 
ducted me  to  the  audience  room,  which  I  entered 
alone. 

Immediately  before  me  was  the  Queen.  On  her 
right  was  one  of  the  princesses,  her  daughter ;  on 
her  left  another.  Near  them,  were  two  ladies  in 
waiting,  the  Countess  of  Macclesfield,  and  Countess 
of  Illchester.  All  were  in  full  court  dresses,  and 
all  standing.  In  another  part  of  the  room  were 
her  majesty's  chamberlain,  and  the  Duke  of  Mont- 
rose. These  made  up  the  assemblage.  All  was 
silence.     Approaching  the  queen,  I  said: — "Hav- 


4.. 


134 


RESIDENCE  AT  THE 


[1818. 


181 


ing  been  accredited  by  his  royal  highness,  the 
Prince  Regent,  as  envoy  extraordinary  and  minis- 
ter plenipotentiary  from  the  United  States,  I  have 
now  the  honour  to  present  this  letter  to  your  ma- 
jesty. In  executing  the  duties  of  my  mission,  I 
have  it  in  charge  from  the  President  so  to  bear 
myself,  as  to  give  hope  of  gaining  your  majesty's 
esteem;  and  this  I  beg  to  assure  your  majesty 
will  be  my  constant  ambition."  She  received  the 
letter.  As  sLc  took  it  she  said,  that  the  senti- 
ments I  expressed  were  very  obliging,  and  entered 
into  conversation.  Learning  that  I  was  from 
Philadelphia,  she  asked  questions  about  it,  and 
others  respecting  the  United  States ;  all  put  in  a 
very  kind  spirit.  The  interview  lasted  about  fif- 
teen minutes. 

The  Queen  was  then  seventy-six.  Her  birth 
day  was  on  the  day  following.  As  I  entered  the 
room,  and  during  the  whole  interview,  there  was 
a  benignity  in  her  manner,  which,  in  union  with  her 
age  and  rank,  was  both  attractive  and  touching. 
The  tones  of  her  voice  had  a  gentleness,  the  result 
in  part  of  years ;  but  full  as  much  of  a  desire  to 
place  a  stranger  at  ease.  The  scene  as  it  first 
broke  upon  me,  its  novelty,  its  tranquil,  yet  impres- 
sive stateliness,  became,  almost  immediately,  by 


her 

imm 

ed  t< 

char) 

good 

the  I 

comn 

the  ti 

lation 

satilit 

sions  ] 

and,  h 

that  i 

private 

chanor( 

ment,  j 

to  the 

future 

unalter 

was  ju! 

uniform 

her  effo 

her  sin 

that  I  3; 

her  day 

it  was  n 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


135 


her  manner,  one  of  naturalness  and  ease.  My 
immediate  predecessor,  Mr.  Adams,  when  present- 
ed to  her,  made  an  allusion  to  qualities  in  her 
character,  which,  as  I  came  to  learn  through  a 
good  source,  was  advantageously  remembered  at 
the  English  court,  I  will  here  repeat.  His  mission 
commenced  in  1815,  directly  after  the  war  between 
the  two  countries.  He  said,  that  the  political  re- 
lations between  them,  had  been  subject  to  the  ver- 
satility that  attended  all  human  affairs ;  that  dissen- 
sions had  arisen,  which  however  had  been  removed : 
and,  he  ardently  hoped,  permanently  removed ;  but 
that  the  reverence  commanded  by  her  majesty's 
private  virtues,  had  been  subject  to  no  such 
change ;  it  had  been  invariably  felt  by  his  govern- 
ment, and  he  could  utter  no  wish  more  propitious 
to  the  happiness  of  both  countries,  than  that  the 
future  harmony  between  them  might  be  equally 
unalterable.  The  allusior  was  happy,  because  it 
was  just.  Throughout  a  long  life  she  had  been 
uniformly  distinguished  by  her  private  virtues,  and 
her  efforts  to  imprint  them  upon  the  times.  I  saw 
her  sinking  below  the  horizon;  but  the  serenity 
that  I  saw,  betok'cned,  that  as  the  splendours  of 
her  day  were  setting,  she  had  a  consciousness  that 
it  was  not  for  those  alone  she  had  lived. 


$  :::':'ui!M 


.-  > 


i»t 


,i» 


mA 


n 


4. 
Jim-* 


136 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


'4., 


Mi 


February  27.  Yesterday  her  majesty  held  a  draw- 
ing room.  It  was  in  celebration  of  her  birth  day. 
My  wife  was  presented  to  her,  by  Lady  Castle- 
reagh.  Besides  being  a  birth  day  celebration,  it 
was  the  first  drawing  room  of  the  season,  and  the 
first  since  the  death  of  the  princess  Charlotte. 
The  weather  was  fine,  with  a  brilliant  sun.  A 
permit  had  been  sent  from  the  board  of  green  cloth 
for  my  carriage  to  pass  into  St.  James's  Park 
through  the  gate  on  Constitution  hill. 

Going  through  Hyde  Park,  I  found  the  whole 
way  from  Tyburn  to  Piccadilly,  (about  a  mile,) 
filled  with  private  carriages,  standing  still.  Per- 
sons were  in  them  who  had  adopted  this  mode  of 
seeing  those  who  went  to  court.  Tenfold  the 
number  went  by  other  approaches,  and  every  ap- 
proach, I  was  told,  was  thronged  with  double  rows  of 
equipages,  also  filled  with  spectators.  I  was  to  be 
set  down  with  the  rest  of  the  diplomatic  corps,  and 
others  who  had  the  entre,  at  a  door  assigned, 
within  the  court  yard  of  the  palace.  Arrived  in 
its  vicinity,  my  carriage  was  stopped  by  those 
before  it.  Here  we  saw,  through  the  trees  and 
avenues  of  the  park,  other  carriages  coming  up, 
in  two  regular  lines  from  the  Horse  Guards  and  St. 
James's.    Another  line,  that  had  already  been  up, 


Forei 

Euroj 

the  ci 

of  the 

being 

each  c 

condit 

ness,  s 

Trump 

guns  fij 

Jet,  wit] 

the  san 

had  bee 

pearanc 

splendid 

swords 

stiffened 

a  promii 

the  exac 

whole  ar 

We  w< 

hall.     W 

gone  up  t 

I  see  ?    ^ 

ment,  my 


1818.] 


COURT   OF   LONDON. 


137 


was  turning  slowly  off,  towards  the  bird  cage  walk. 
Foreigners  agreed,  that  the  united  capitals  of 
Europe  could  not  match  the  sight.  The  glitter  of 
the  carriages,  w  ,  heightened  by  the  appearance 
of  the  numerous  servants  in  glowing  livery,  there 
being  generally  two  and  often  three  footmen  behind 
each  carriage.  The  horses  were  all  in  the  highest 
condition,  and,  under  heavy  emblazoned  har- 
ness, seemed,  like  war  horses,  to  move  proudly. 
Trumpets  were  sounding,  and  the  Park  and  Tower 
guns  firing.  There  were  ranks  of  cavalry  in  scar- 
let, with  their  bright  helmets  and  jet  black  horses  ; 
the  same  we  were  informed,  men  and  horses,  that 
had  been  at  the  battle  of  Waterloo.  Their  ap- 
pearance was  in  a  high  degree  martial  and 
splendid.  The  hands  of  the  men  grasped  their 
swords  in  gloves  of  white  buckskin-,  the  cuffs 
stiffened  and  reaching  half  way  up  to  the  elbow — 
a  prominent  part  of  the  equipments  that  made  up 
the  exact  uniformity  and  military  beauty  of  the 
whole  array. 

We  were  soon  set  down,  and  entered  the  great 
hall.  What  a  contrast !  The  day  before,  I  had 
gone  up  the  same  staircase  alone.  Now  what  did 
I  see  ?  We  were  not  out  of  time,  for,  by  appoint- 
ment, my  carriage  reached  the  palace  with  Lord 
18 


,  mmKwam 
1  i«  cs  an 


:i 


r  1 


> 

■» 


rt 


4.-, 


138 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


18j 


,!f.- 


'■K- 


««*.' 


Castlereagh's ;  but  whilst  hundreds  were  still  arriv- 
ing, hundreds  were  endeavouring  to  come  away. 
The   staircase  branched  off  at  the  first  landing, 
into  two  arms,  and  was  wide  enough  to  admit  a 
partition,  which  had  been  let  in.    The  company 
ascending,  took  one  channel;  those  descending, 
the  other,  and  both  channels  were  full.     The  whole 
group  stood  motionless.     The  openings  through 
the  old  carved  balusters,  brought  all  under  view  at 
once,  and  the  paintings  on  the  walls  were  all  seen 
at  the  same  time.     The  hoop  dresses  of  the  ladies, 
sparkling  with  lama ;  their  plumes ;  their  lappets ; 
the  fanciful  attitudes  which  the  hoops  occasioned, 
some  getting  out  of  position,  as  when  in  Addison's 
time  they  were  adjusted  to  shoot  a  door ;  the  various 
costumes  of  the  gentlemen,  as  they  stood  pinion- 
ing their  elbows,  and  holding  in  their  swords ;  the 
common  hilarity  created  by  the  common  dilemma ; 
the  bland  recognitions  passing  between  those  above 
and  below,  made  up,  altogether,  an  exhibition  so 
picturesque,  that  a  painter  might  give  it,  as  illus- 
trative, so  far,  of  the  English  court  at  that  era. 
Without  pausing  to  describe  the  incidents  during 
our  progress  upwards,  it  may  be  sufficient  to  say, 
that  the  party  to  which  I  was   attached,  and  of 
which  lady  Castlereagh,  towering  in  her  bloom,  was 


the 

aboi 

F 

the  i 

chai] 

were 

gene] 

one  a 

Bowi] 

throu^ 

other 

wife  V 

convc] 

not  do 

Regen 

ters  ai 

ministe 

remain^ 

queen. 

present, 

distingi 

nor  Stat 

in  so  gr 

If  the 

up  stain 

the  rooi 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


139 


the  leader,  reached  the  summit  of  the  staircase  in 
about  three  quarters  of  an  hour. 

Four  rooms  were  allotted  to  the  ceremony.  In 
the  second,  was  the  queen.  She  sat  on  a  velvet 
chair  and  cushion,  a  little  raised  up.  Near  her 
were  the  princesses,  and  ladies  in  waiting.  The 
general  company  as  they  reached  the  corridor  by 
one  arm  of  the  staircase,  passed  on  to  the  queen. 
Bowing  to  her,  they  regained  it,  after  passing 
through  all  the  rooms,  by  an  outlet  that  led  to  the 
other  arm ;  which  they  descended.  When  my 
wife  was  presented,  her  majesty  addressed  some 
conversation  to  her,  as  a  stranger.  This  she  could 
not  do  to  all,  time  not  permitting.  The  Prince 
Regent  was  there  and  royal  family ;  cabinet  minis- 
ters and  their  ladies;  foreign  ambassadors  and 
ministers  with  theirs.  These,  having  the  entre, 
remained  if  they  chose,  in  the  room  with  the 
queen.  A  numerous  portion  of  the  nobility  werv^ 
present,  their  wives  and  daughters;  with  others 
distinguished  in  life,  though  bearing  neither  title 
nor  station.  Conversation  you  got  as  you  could 
in  so  great  and  rich  a  throng. 

If  the  scene  in  the  hall  was  picturesque,  the  one 
up  stairs  transcended  it  all  ways.  The  doors  of 
the  rooms  were  all  open.     You   saw  in  them  a 


t  ;'.":!'JKtn 

Iff  i«»'.t 


i|»'-HII 
f'  J 


■ff. 


*<ias^ 


1 


\ 


140 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818, 


1818. 


(  ^ 


.;.!  ! 


thousand  ladies  richly  dressed.  All  the  colours  of 
nature  were  mingling  their  rays,  under  the  fairy 
designs  of  art.  It  was  the  first  occasion  of  laying 
by  mourning  for  the  Princess  Charlotte ;  so  that  it 
was  like  the  bursting  out  of  Spring.  No  lady  was 
without  her  plume.  The  whole  was  a  waving  field 
of  feathers.  Some  were  blue,  like  the  sky ;  some 
tinged  with  red ;  here  you  saw  violet,  and  yellow ; 
there  shades  of  green ;  but  the  most  were  of  pure 
white,  like  tufts  of  snow.  The  diamonds  encir- 
cling them  caught  the  sun  through  the  windows, 
and  threw  dazzling  beams  around.  Then,  the 
hoops;  these  I  cannot  describe;  they  should  be 
seen.  To  see  one  is  nothing ;  but  to  see  a  thou- 
sand, and  their  thousand  wearers,  on  such  a  day! 
I  afterwards  sat  in  the  ambassador's  box  in  West- 
minister hall  at  a  coronation.  That  sight  faded 
before  this.  Each  lady  seemed  to  rise  out  of  a 
gilded  little  barricade,  or  one  of  silvery  texture. 
This,  topped  by  her  plume,  and  the  "  face  divine" 
interposing,  gave  to  the  whole  an  effect  so  unique, 
so  fraught  with  feminine  grace  and  grandeur,  that 
it  seemed  as  if  a  curtain  had  risen  to  show  a 
pageant  in  another  sphere.  It  was  brilliant  and 
joyous.  Those  to  whom  it  was  not  new,  stood  at 
gaze^  as  I  did ;  Canning  for  one.     His  fine  eve 


took 

states 

chanc 

Engia 

now  I 

My  o\ 

measu 

assurai 

tresses 

So  apf 

Charloi 

The 

as  mys 

the   CO] 

reached 

it  be  be 

of  hoopi 

the  spe< 

new  ims 

beautiful 

plume  th 

have  be( 

mony.     J 

peare,  it 

over  criti 

same  tim 


Inxr? 


1818.]  COURT   OF    LONDON.  141 

took  it  all  in.  You  saw  admiration  in  the  gravest 
statesmen — Lord  Liverpool,  Iluskisson,  the  lord 
chancellor — every  body.  I  had  already  poen  in 
England  signs  enough  of  opulence  and  power — 
now  I  saw,  radiating  on  all  sides,  British  beauty. 
My  own  country,  I  believed,  was  destined  to  a  just 
measure  of  the  two  first;  and  I  had  the  inward 
assurance  that  my  countrywomen  were  the  inheri- 
tresses of  the  last.  Matre  pulchra  JiUa  pulchrior. 
So  appeared  to  me  the  drawing  room  of  Queen 
Charlotte. 

The  ceremonies  of  the  day  being  ended,  as  far 
as  myself  and  suite  were  concerned,  we  sought 
the  corridor  to  come  away.  In  good  time  we 
reached  the  head  of  the  descending  channel.  Will 
it  be  believed !  both  channels  were  as  full  as  ever 
of  hoops  and  plumes.  There  was  something  m 
the  spectacle  from  this  position  that  presented  a 
new  image.  Positively,  it  came  over  the  eye  like 
beautiful  architecture;  the  hoops  the  base,  the 
plume  the  pinnacle !  The  parts  of  this  dress  may 
have  been  incongruous;  but  the  whole  was  har- 
mony. Like  old  English  buildings,  and  Shakes- 
peare, it  carried  the  feelings  with  it,  triumphing 
over  criticism.  We  got  down  stairs  in  about  the 
same  time  it  took  to  get  up.     As  we  waited  in  the 


lb    c«  Mi 

« «■■  ■  ■ ',;  J> 

J  4^  .  1^^"  ft 

I  J* .  -Hi  .  ,^ 


'.J 


♦...«f. 


«1> 


„  ,-m 


II 


r 


142 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


18] 


'  1: 


!i'( 


hall  for  our  carriage,  military  bands  were  playing 
in  the  court  yard,  some  mounted,  some  on  foot ; 
amidst  the  strains  of  which  we  drove  off. 

In  the  evening  I  dined  at  Lord  Castlereagh's. 
It  was  a  dinner  in  honour  of  the  birth-day.  The 
foreign  ambassadors  and  ministers,  and  several  of 
the  English  ambassadors  at  European  courts,  at 
home  on  leave,  were  at  it,  all  in  official  costume. 
Among  the  topics,  was  the  beautiful  scene  of  the 
morning.  All  gave  their  voice  to  its  attractive- 
ness. I  will  say  no  more  of  the  dinner.  Lord 
Castlereagh,  anxious  for  the  pleasure  of  his  guests, 
diffused  his  attentions  in  ways  to  promote  it.  We 
sat  down  at  eighi,  and  rose  at  ten.  By  eleven,  the 
company  dispersed. 


EMIGR 
SEL 

uuc 

BASS 

AT 

CAN^ 

Ma 

on  en 

seek  i 

afford. 

want ; 

instrun 

majorit 

be,  the^ 

country 

dear,  /> 

farmer, 

pounds ; 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


14:^ 


CHAPTER    X. 


the 


EMIGRATION.  LITERARY  INSTITUTIONS.  CLUBS.  BOOK- 
SELLERS' SHOPS.  ST.  JAMES'S  PALACE — PARTY  AT  THE 
UUCHESS  OF  CUMBERLAND'S AT  THE  RUSSIAN  AM- 
BASSADOR'S— AT  THE  MARCHIONESS  OF  STAFFORD'S — 
AT  LORD  ML1.VILLES.  THE  DUKE  OF  SUSSEX.  THE 
CANADAS.       DINNER  AT    THE    MANSION    HOUSE. 

March  1.  I  received  many  letters  from  persons 
on  emigrating  to  the  United  States.  The  writers 
seek  information  and  advice,  neither  of  whir'i  1 
afford.  The  bad  subjects  of  Britain  we  do  not 
want ;  the  good,  it  is  no  part  of  my  province  to  be 
instrumental  in  drawing  away.  If,  however,  the 
majority  of  the  applicants  be  what  they  profess  to 
be,  they  would  prove  an  acquisition  to  any  new 
country;  where,  land  being  abundant  and  labour 
dear,  men  are  the  best  of  all  imports.  One,  a 
farmer,  represents  himself  to  have  six  thousand 
pounds  ;  two  of  the  same  class  say,  that  they  each 


<rr 


«tf  .'• 


IIL.Km  :^ 


,.1 

I.  n 

ft 
It- 


■41 


t-.i 


,^ 


jMM  I. 


f. 


.  I 


144 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


»  >■ 


W 


would  carry  over  about  half  as  much.  I  learn 
that  another  of  the  applicants,  a  manufacturer,  is 
reputed  to  be  worth  thirty  thousand  pounds.  The 
naturalization  laws  of  the  United  States,  give  less 
encouragement  to  emigrants  than  is  generally  sup- 
posed ;  less  than  some  of  their  citizens  think  wise. 
For  one,  I  regard  them  as  unwise.  They  do  not 
confer  citizenship  upon  terms  as  favourable  as 
Russia  and  Holland  have  formcrlv  done,  and  are 
believed  to  do  still ;  as  England  did  formerly,  for 
she  even  offered  bounties  to  certain  classes  of  for- 
eigners on  coming  to  her  shores ;  and  as  France 
has  done  at  periods  when  even  her  population  in 
proportion  to  her  soil,  was  ten-fold  greater  than 
that  of  the  United  States  at  present.  The  latter 
require  a  full  residence  of  five  years,  with  rej^ula- 
tions  that  put  further  clogs  upon  the  privilege.  If 
€vcry  clog  were  removed,  it  would  stand,  in  my 
opinion,  as  the  wisest  law  in  our  code  for  ages  yet 
to  come. 

I  should  fill  many  pages  were  I  to  detail  appli- 
cations of  another  description ;  I  mean  from  au- 
thors of  new  [)rojects.  One  has  an  improved  plan  for 
making  rockets;  another  thinks  he  has  discovered 
a  mode  of  building  ships  that  will  make  all  sail 
alike;  a  third  has  a  model  of  a  gun-carriage,  by 


1818 

whicl 

easily 

exploc 

every 

projeci 

ment  c 

proper 

red  tha 

think  a 

terfercE 

In  trutli 

tions  ar 

were  no 

March 

marie  sti 

ry.    A  1( 

where  Si 

and  Milli 

ry,  and  i 

publicatic 

of  much  r 

ments  in  ] 

knowledge 

fhe    Lone 

a  few  yeai 


ittcr 

ila- 

If 

my 

yet 


Ippli- 

au- 

Ibr 

tcrod 
sail 
,by 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


145 


which  a  sixty-four  pounder  can  be  worked  as 
easily  as  a  swivel ;  a  fourth,  a  fire  machine  to 
explode  under  water,  with  more  destruction  to 
every  thing  above  than  Fulton's  torpedo.  The 
projectors  all  desire  patronage  from  the  govern- 
ment of  the  United  States,  and  will  go  over,  on 
proper  encouragement  from  me.  It  will  be  infer- 
red that  if  I  leave  farmers  and  manufacturers  to 
think  and  act  for  themselves,  I  abstain  from  all  in- 
terference in  the  cases  of  these  ingenious  persons. 
In  truth,  we  w  ant  them  less.  Most  of  their  inven- 
tions are  for  destroying  life ;  as  if  means  enough 
were  not  known  already. 

March  2.  Visited  the  Royal  Institution  in  Albe- 
marle street.  Its  objects  are  scientific  and  litera- 
ry. A  lecture  room,  with  apparatus,  is  annexed, 
where  Sir  Humphry  Davy,  and  professors  Brande 
and  Milligan  deliver  lectures.  It  has  a  large  libra- 
ry, and  is  furnished  with  the  current  periodical 
publications.  I  speak  of  it  merely  as  cue,  thougli 
of  much  repute,  among  numerous  similar  establish- 
ments in  London  for  rendering  the  acquisition  of 
knowledge  easy.  Another  was  mentioned  to  me — 
the  London  Institution  in  Moorfields — founded 
a  few  years  ago  at  an  expense  of  upwards  of  fifty 
19 


.^1 

41 


,1-^ 


.i> 


M 

vV 


•..•P..^ 

'-^<> 


1 


rl    *■ 


MldH-t  ft         'y-y  ■% 


ifc- 


n 


146 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


'    1  ' 


'  r 


thousand  guineas  obtained  by  subscription  among 
private  individuals  in  that  range  of  the  city.  The 
clubs  also  have  libraries,  and  tables  for  the  periodi- 
cal works.  It  is  so  at  the  Alfred,  near  the  Royal 
Institution.  The  club  houses  appear  to  be  among 
the  largest  in  town,  judging  from  those  in  St. 
James's  street.  Let  me  here  relate  what  I  heard  a 
member  of  one  of  them — White's — the  great  tory 
club  in  this  street,  say.  Somebody  spoke  of  the 
lights  kept  burning  there  all  night ;  yes,  said  he, 
"  they  have  not  been  out,  I  should  think,  since  the 
reign  of  Charles  //."  The  London  clubs  of  the 
higher  order,  attest  the  diversified  society,  as  well 
as  the  wealth  and  greatness,  of  this  metropolis. 
They  are  not  associations  for  mere  conviviality, 
but  for  intercourse  upon  a  far  broader  scale,  politi- 
cal, literary,  scientific,  dramatic,  and  objects  more 
various.  At  a  subsequent  day  I  visited  several, 
and  had  the  freedom  r*'  some  bestowed  upon  me. 
I  was  honoured  with  that  of  the  United  Service 
club,  the  Alfred,  and  the  Traveller's.  The  first,  for 
extent  and  completeness,  I  may  almost  add  splen- 
dour, surpassed  any  that  came  under  my  observa- 
tion, though  all  were  more  or  less  striking.  None 
of  its  members  arc  below  the  rank  of  field  ofiiccrs 
in  the  army,  or  captains  in  the  navy.    Through 


1818 

the  ^ 

priviL 

roomi 

due  fc 

for  ref 

ing  th 

Ihs 

shops  j 

whose 

in  Pati 

Finsbu 

shows 

this  br 

proclaii 

The  ni 

seemed 

perhaps 

extent  c 

lection 

the  num 

Shakcsp 

as  ncarli 

thousanc 

tire  colic 

million  o 

catalogue 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


147 


the  good  offices  of  Sir  Humphry  Davy,  I  had  the 
privilege  of  resorting  to  the  Ubrary  and  reading 
rooms  of  the  Royal  Institution ;  and  my  gratitude  is 
due  for  the  facilities  accorded  to  me  at  all  times 
for  reading  and  consulting  books  there,  and  attend- 
ing the  lectures. 

I  have  been  to  several  of  the  great  booksellers' 
shops;  that  of  Payne  and  Fosse,  in  Pall  Mall, 
whose  collection  is  said  to  be  very  choice ;  some 
in  Paternoster  Row,  and  Lackington's,  corner  of 
Finsbury  square.  A  bird's  eye  view  of  them, 
shows  the  great  amount  of  capital  employed  in 
this  branch  of  business,  the  more  imposing  as  it 
proclaims  intellectual  as  well  as  monicd  capital. 
The  mere  external  arrangement  at  Lackinjrton's 
seemed  the  best,  and  I  should  have  inferred,  but 
perhaps  erroneously,  as  I  did  not  see  the  whole 
extent  of  some  in  Paternoster  Row,  that  their  col- 
lection w^as  largest.  One  of  the  firm  told  me,  that 
the  number  of  volumes  in  two  descriptions  of  books, 
Shakespeare  and  the  periodical  writers,  amounted, 
as  nearly  as  he  could  say,  to  about  one  hundred 
thousand.  I  should  have  conjectured  that  the  en- 
tire collection  could  scarcely  have  fallen  shor  of  a 
million  of  volumes.  Opening  cursorily  some  of  the 
catalogues,  Lackington's  appeared  to  contain  the 


:i        * 


J' 


;t 


K 


«... 


148 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


I  : 


■  ftJHr^-9'    X 


4 


greatest  number  of  works  on  America  ;  especially 
on  the  early  colonial  history  of  the  United  States. 
The  catalogues  are  made  out  with  great  care,  giv- 
ing the  prices,  and  formed  well  sized  octavo 
volumes.  Lackington's  ran  on  to  a  thousand 
pages.  At  the  latter  establishment,  another  thing 
was  mentioned  that  struck  uie  as  remarkable,  viz. 
that  the  expense  of  advertising  a  new  work  in  Lon- 
don, often  amounted  to  two  hundred  pounds  ster- 
ling, and  could  scarcely  be  done  under  one  hun- 
dred. The  works  of  such  writers  as  Scott,  Byron, 
Moore,  and  others  of  established  name  in  litera- 
ture or  science,  formed,  indeed,  exceptions ;  but  the 
above  was  applicable  to  new  publications  generally. 
Of  books,  we  expect  catalogues.  But  it  is  much 
the  habit  of  all  English  shopkeepers  to  have  print- 
ed lists  of  their  articles.  Stepping  into  a  hard- 
ware shop,  the  proprietor  handed  me  a  stout 
pamphlet  which  presented  his  whole  assortment  in 
print,  with  the  prices  annexed  to  each  item,  no  mat- 
ter how  minute.  Haberdashers  send  out  their  in- 
ventories in  print,  and  the  dealers  in  a  thousand 
other  things,  theirs;  their  packets  come  to  my 
house  in  I  know  not  what  quantity — through  the 
two-penny  post  or  errand  boys — to  the  advan- 
tage of  the  paper  maker,  job  printer,   and  other 


1818.] 


COURT    OP    LONDON. 


149 


handicrafts  in  the  system  of  subdivision  in  a  great 
metropoUs. 


^1 


H 


March  4.  Went  the  evening  before  last,  to  a  party 
at  the  Duchess  of  Cumberland's,  St.  James's  palace. 

This  is  among  the  oldest  buildings  in  London. 
It  presents  on  the  street,  a  fortress-like  aspect. 
To  wha*  o  it  belongs,  wc  ' '  be  hard  to  say, 
the  whole  being  an  irregular  pile.  But  the  very 
confusion  in  its  plan,  with  its  antiquity,  and  the  sen- 
tinels pacing  day  and  night  about  its  purlieus,  mi- 
nister to  the  fancy,  making  amends  for  its  want  of 
good  architecture.  So  says  one,  who,  unaccus- 
tomed to  the  sight  of  edifices  that  go  far  back  into 
time,  finds  this  the  ingredient  which  seizes  most 
upon  his  first  feelings.  I  remembered  this  palace, 
historically,  as  the  one  from  the  windows  of  which 
George  III.  showed  himself  to  the  people  when  re- 
joicings were  going  on  for  the  capture  of  Quebec, 
and  its  gardens  are  the  same  on  the  trees  of  which 
Charles  II.  hung,  as  we  are  told,  the  cages  of  his 
singing  birds. 

We  drove  under  a  gatehouse  leading  to  a  paved 
court  yard.  Here  we  were  set  down  at  the  en- 
trance to  the  Duke  of  Cumberland's  apartments. 
Directed  by  servants  who  lined  the  way,  we  passed 


•  •"'  ;■"-;•» 

•  a-  ■*>■  ^ 

•  --    '-'ill"" 


1*^ 

I 


v1 


-in 


r-i 


«:.■« 


*.««" 


<•" 


,  i  ^      -^ 


M 

'.1 
■» 


\\ 


n 


150 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


t    'i 


.itf''-f   ■'}- 


'4* 


V\ 


I  . 


■7 


M 

I* 


up  to  the  rooms  of  entertainment.  The  company 
was  not  very  large.  In  a  rich  arm  chair  at  the 
opening  of  a  wide  door-way  between  two  of  the 
rooms,  sat  the  Prince  Regent ;  on  one  side  of  him 
the  Duchess  of  Cumberland,  on  the  other  the  Mar- 
chioness of  Hereford.  The  rest  of  the  company 
stood.  When  we  entered,  all  were  listening  to 
music.  Members  of  the  royal  family,  cabinet  minis- 
ters, the  foreign  ambassadors,  with  their  respective 
ladies,  and  others  formed  the  groups,  I  observed 
among  them  the  lord  chancellor.  Sir  William  Scott, 
and  Mr.  Canning.  On  a  pause  in  the  music,  there 
was  conversation.  The  Duchess  of  Cumberland 
spoke  kindly  of  my  country,  and  individuals  be- 
longing to  it;  particularly  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Adams, 
whom  she  had  known  at  the  court  of  Berlin.  She 
is  sister  to  the  late  queen  of  Prussia.  The  Duke 
talked  to  me  of  the  United  States,  embracing 
in  his  inquiries,  language ;  with  a  desire  to  learn 
how  far,  if  at  all,  we  fell  into  changes  in  idiom  or 
pronunciation  from  the  parent  stock. 

I  had  introductions  to  several  persons.  Whilst 
in  conversation  with  the  Earl  of  Hardwicke,  a  gen- 
tleman stood  within  a  few  paces  of  us.  I  did  not 
know  him.  On  separating  from  Lord  Hardwicke, 
he  advanced  towards  me,  saying,  "/'m  going  to 


you  ( 

ner  ( 

man. 

fame 

to  ki 

from 

me  cm 

no  sec 

arriva 

your  J 

you,  th 

recetvei 

makint 

for  the 

dent  M 

always 

them  yi 

ing  for 

must  hi 

Francis 

of  youth 


1818.] 


COURT  OP  LONDON. 


151 


bring  a  bill  into  parliament  making  it  indictable  in 
any  stranger,  whether  ambassador  from  a  republic, 
kingdom,  or  popedom,  ever  to  leave  his  card,  in  Lon- 
don, without  his  address  upon  it ;  how  do  you  do, 
Mr,  Rush,  how  do  you  do  ;  Pve  been  trying  to  find 
you  every  where — Pm  Lord  Erskine,''^  In  this  man- 
ner commenced  my  acquaintance  with  this  gifted 
man.  There  was  no  one  in  England  of  whose 
fame  I  had  oftener  heard,  or  whom  I  more  desired 
to  know.  He  continued — ^^  I  had  a  letter  for  you 
from  my  brother  the  Earl  of  Buchan,  but  you  made 
me  carry  it  so  long  in  my  pocket,  that  Host  it ;  it  had 
no  secrets ;  it  was  only  to  congrattdate  you  on  your 
arrival;  he  was  long  a  correspondent  and  friend  of 
your  father^s,  and  wants  to  transfer  his  feelings  to 
you,  thafs  all ;  so  you  can  write  to  him  as  if  you  had 
received  it.''''  I  assured  him  of  my  gratification  at 
making  his  acquaintance,  and  made  due  apologies 
for  the  omission  on  my  card.  He  inquired  for  Presi- 
dent Monroe,  Mr.  Pinkney,  and  others ;  said  he  had 
always  loved  the  United  States,  and  hoped  to  visit 
them  yet,  as  he  was  an  old  sailor,  and  cared  noth- 
ing for  storms.  Such  was  his  sprightly  strain.  He 
must  have  been  seventy  or  near  it;  but,  as  Sir 
Francis  Burdett  said  of  him,  illustrated  the  fable 
of  youth  peeping  through  the  mask  of  age.    It  was 


■  \ 


152 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


r  ^ 


fit  ! 


?l'i 


a  treat  to  see  so  much  genius  with  so  much  play- 
fulness ;  such  a  social  flow  from  one  whose  power- 
ful eloquence  had  been  felt  by  the  English  nation, 
and  helped  to  change,  on  some  fundamental  points, 
the  English  law.  He  sauntered  about  with  me,  and 
looked  at  the  paintings.  There  was  a  full  length 
likeness  of  George  II.,  another  of  George  III.,  and 
one  of  Mary  of  Scots ;  a  "  royal  jade''*  he  feared, 
"  but  very  pretty."  We  ended  in  a  room,  at  the 
extremity  of  1;he  suite,  where  was  a  table  set  out 
with  golden  urns  for  tea,  and  other  light  refresh- 
ments; to  which  those  went  who  were  inclined. 
At  one  o'clock  we  came  away.  The  music  was 
by  professional  performers.  Not  only  are  the  first 
musical  talents  of  England,  engaged  for  private  en- 
tertainments at  houses  of  distinction,  but  the  best 
from  Italy,  France,  and  other  parts  of  the  conti- 
nent; the  Fodors,  the  Pastas,  the  Ambrogettis,  the 
Catalanis,  who  may  always  be  seen  in  London. 

March  10.  Dined  at  the  Russian  ambassador's. 
This  distinguished  diplomatist  is  understood  to 
enjoy  in  a  high  degree  the  good  will  of  his  sove- 
reign, and,  by  all  other  titles,  is  prominent  in  offi- 
cial and  court  circles.  To  the  social  assemblages 
of  each,  the  Princess  Lieven,  his  lady,  brings  dig- 


nity, 

we  e 

with 

Unite 

of  the 

foreig 

table, 

rooms 

I  ha 

Naples 

States. 

been  ol 

With  tJ 

seemed 

stantino 

before  h 

asked  if 

ing  diplo 

ied  us  to 

He  doubl 

less  as  ca 

All  that  M 

doing  whf 

open  were 

France. 

ling  to  paj 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


153 


nity,  intelligence  and  grace.  From  this  embassy, 
we  experienced  at  all  times  the  kindness  in  unison 
with  the  good  relations  subsisting  between  the 
United  States  and  Russia.  The  guests  consisted 
of  the  diplomatic  corps,  their  wives,  and  some  other 
foreigners.  General  conversation  w^as  kept  up  at 
table,  and  revived  in  smaller  circles  in  the  drawing 
rooms  afterwards. 

I  had  some  with  the  minister  plenipotentiary  from 
Naples.  He  directed  it  to  the  affairs  of  the  United 
States.  Of  their  commerce  and  marine  he  had 
been  observant,  particularly  in  the  Mediterranean. 
With  the  interests  of  the  countries  on  this  sea,  he 
seemed  familiar.  He  had  been  minister  at  Con- 
stantinople ;  his  father  had  been  in  the  same  post 
before  him,  and  now  it  w^as  filled  by  his  son.  He 
asked  if  my  government  did  not  contemplate  open- 
ing diplomatic  intercourse  w  ith  tiie  Porte,  which 
led  us  to  talk  of  the  commerce  of  the  Black  sea. 
He  doubted  if  we  could  derive  benefit  from  it,  un- 
less as  carriers,  should  we  even  be  admitted  there. 
All  that  we  desired,  I  said,  was  the  opportunity  of 
doing  what  we  could.  The  nations  to  whom  it  was 
open  were,  he  said,  Russia,  Austria,  England  and 
France.  Naples  enjoyed  it  not ;  she  was  unwil- 
ling to  pay  what  the  court  of  Constantinople  asked. 
20 


i%^'- 


f  I 


rll 


154 


RESIDENCE  AT  THE 


[1818. 


4        t 


I       ; 


i  h 


;^'"« 


•'««     >j- 


;  1 


-i>  ; 


■Vi  'l 


f  ^ 


Prince  Lieven  expressed  to  me  his  hope,  that 
the  late  appointment  by  the  emperor,  of  Mr.  Pole- 
tecca,  as  minister  plenipotentiary  to  the  United 
States,  would  improve  the  friendship  between  our 
two  countries.  I  joined  in  the  hope ;  the  more,  as 
Mr.  Poletecca  had  been  favourably  known  in  the 
United  States  since  the  days  of  Count  Pahlen's 
mission.  He  spoke  of  Mr.  Adams,  and  the  respect 
in  which  he  was  held  when  minister  in  Russia.  I 
said,  that  his  titles  to  respect  at  home,  had  been 
increased  by  his  correspondence  whilst  at  St.  Pe- 
tersburgh.  Here  I  stated,  that  in  1812  and  1813 
his  despatches  relating  to  the  great  movements  in 
Europe,  were  frequent  and  full ;  that  he  proved  him- 
self master  of  them  all,  anticipating  the  political 
combinations,  and  military  results  of  that  era,  with 
remarkable  precision ;  above  all,  confidently  predict- 
ing the  failure  of  Napoleon's  grand  expedition  to 
Moscow,  from  the  roused  and  warUke  patriotism 
of  Russia,  and  her  abundant  resources.  Such  had 
been  the  uniform  tenor  of  his  communications. 
They  were  on  the  archives  of  the  American  go- 
vernment, as  monuments  of  the  writer's  capacity  to 
handle  public  affairs  of  magnitude  with  judgment 
and  forecast.  The  ambassador  heard  with  satis- 
faction my  narrative. 


181 

ness 
Prini 
and 
when 
ment 
for  a 
Swed( 
king, 
creati< 
rooms 
wealth 
paintin 
judicio 
pearan 
lection 
of  the 
conside 
tion,  pre 
water, 
Stafford 
glowing 
high  att 
It  was 
had  froH] 
country 


li 


1818.] 


COURT   OF    LONDON. 


155 


March  12.     Last  night  we  were  at  the  Marchio- 
ness of  Stafford's.      The  rooms  were  full.     The 
Prince  Regent,  royal  family,  many  of  the  nobility 
and  others,  thronged  them.     It  was  past  eleven 
when  we  arrived ;  yet  fresh  names  were  every  mo- 
ment announced.    All  were  in  black  under  an  order 
for  a  new  court  mourning  for  the  late  King  of 
Sweden,  Charles  XIII. ;  who  however  did  not  die 
king,  Bernadotte — the  remnant  of  Napoleor's  royal 
creations — occupying   the  Sw  dish  throne.     The 
rooms    abounded  in   ornamental    articles  which 
wealth  had  amassed  and   taste   arrai  gred.     The 
paintings   commanded   admiration.      Und^r  light 
judiciously  disposed,  they  made  a  mf.^nificent  ap- 
pearance.   There  is  said  to  be  no  sucii  private  col- 
lection in  Europe.   It  comprehends  the  productions 
of  the  first  masters  of  the  different  schools.    A 
considerable  number  are  from  the  Orleans  collec- 
tion, procured  in  France  by  the  late  Duke  of  Bridge- 
water,  from  whom  the  estates  of  the  Marquis  of 
Stafford  in  part  descend.    T?  ese  works  of  genius 
glowing  from  every  part  of  the  walls,  formed  a 
high  attraction. 

It  was  the  beginning  of  many  hospitahties  we 
had  from  this  family.  The  marquis  is  known  to  his 
country  by  the  public  character  his  peerage  gives 


ll  J»   c-r.  Mk 


.^ 


% 


u 


\\ 


Y 

a. 


156 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


181/ 


.1    ^1 


(  '  . 


r-^y 


♦4( 


him,  and  the  posts  he  has  filled.  The  marchioness 
is  not  less  known  by  her  rank,  for  she  is  of  the 
oldest  of  the  realm.  But  this  is  adventitious.  She 
is  known  also  by  her  cultivated  mind,  her  taste  in 
the  arts,  her  benevolence  to  her  tenantry ;  by  vir- 
tues unostentatious  and  refined,  that  commend  her 
to  the  love  of  domestic  and  social  circles,  and 
endear  her  name  to  strangers. 

March  17.  Dined  at  Lord  Melville's.  Lord  and 
Lady  Melville,  Lord  and  Lady  M nigra ve.  Lord 
Keith,  the  ambassador  of  the  Netherlands,  the 
Danish  minister  and  lady,  Mr.  Barrow,  and  a  few 
more  made  the  party. 

The  polar  expedition  was  talked  of.     The  pre- 
vailing opinion  was  against  its  success,  but  Mr. 
Barrow  stood  up  for  it.     For  every  doubt,  man  of 
genius  like,  he  had  a  solution,  often  in  veins  of 
pleasantry.     I  learned  that  he  was  the  author  of 
the  article  on  this  subject  in  the  thirty-fifth  number 
of  the  Quarterly  Review,  which  every  body  hud 
read  with  pleasure,  at  least.     Lord  Melville  said, 
that  nothing  would  be  omitted  by  the  admiralty  to 
ensure  success  to  the  expedition,  as  far  as  equip- 
ment was  concerned ;  but  I  saw  that  he  was  not 
sanguine  us  to  results. 


I 

table 
Unit( 
in  otl 
Copy 
from 
if  his 
bring 
his  lo] 
most  I 
must  fi 

Inth 
of  the  f 
hall,  w.-i 
off  Cam 
tion  in 
the  vict( 
ning  wit 
said,  nor 
In  tJic 
haster,  a 
portions, 
terior   su 
represent^ 
was  oxcju 
casting  ih 


1818.] 


COURT  OP  LONDON. 


157 


I  commended  some  delicious  oranges  on  the 
table.  His  lordship  asked  if  we  had  oranges  in  the 
United  States.  In  the  southern  parts,  I  replied ; 
in  other  parts  we  got  them  from  the  West  Indies. 
Copying  Mr.  Barrow's  good  vein  I  said,  that  those 
from  the  English  islands  would  have  a  better  relish 
if  his  majesty's  government  would  but  allow  us  to 
bring  them  in  our  own  ships !  In  the  same  spirit 
his  lordship  answered,  that,  for  one,  he  would  be 
most  happy  to  contribute  to  our  enjoyments ;  but 
must  first  hear  what  Lord  Castlcreagh  had  to  say ! 

In  the  dining  room,  hung  the  original  paintings 
of  the  places  seen  by  Cook  in  his  voyages.  In  the 
hall,  was  one  of  Duncan's  victory  over  the  Dutch, 
off  Camperdown.  I  asked  if  there  was  no  collec- 
tion in  England  representing,  in  historical  series, 
the  victories  of  the  nation  gained  in  fleets,  begin- 
ning with  those  in  Cromwell's  time.  His  lordship 
said,  none. 

In  the  drawing  room,  was  a  large  vase  of  ala- 
baster, about  eight  feet  high,  and  of  the  fin(*st  pro- 
portions. It  stood  !)ef()re  a  mirror,  and  on  the  ex- 
terior surface,  the  whole  story  of  Lucretia  was 
represented  in  figures  of  demi-n^lievo.  The  work 
was  exquisite.  The  vase  was  illuminated  inside, 
casting  its  softened  shades  through  the  room;  and 


,  nnrt«M 


*-    ..:.-n 

I 


»• 


m 


i\ 


158 


RESIDENCE    AT   THE 


[1818. 


1818 


I  ! 


by  the  reflections  of  the  mirror,  all  the  figures, 
though  on  a  spherical  surface,  came  under  the  eye 
at  once.  This  classic  and  beautiful  ornament, 
which  the  size  of  the  room  displayed  to  the  best 
advantage,  had  been  imported  from  Florence. 
England,  though  carrying  the  manufacturing  arts 
to  so  high  a  pitch,  is  filled  with  the  costly  produc- 
tions of  other  parts  of  the  world;  the  porcelain, 
the  silk  damasks,  the  or-molu,  of  France ;  the  finest 
works  in  marble  from  Italy;  the  table  linen  of 
Holland  and  Saxony ;  the  lace  of  Flanders ;  the 
gems,  the  cashmeres,  of  India.  No  amount  of 
duty  shuts  out  such  articles  from  her  opulent 
classes.  Their  very  costliness  brings  them  into 
demand. 

March  18.  The  Duke  of  Sussex  visited  me.  He 
had  called  once  before,  when  I  was  out.  Seeing  the 
secretary  of  legation  at  Almac's,  he  fixed  to  day  for 
railing  again,  and  I  staid  at  home  to  receive  him. 

An  ardour  for  constitutional  liberty  perva<lod 
his  conversation.  It  rose  sometimes  to  an  elo- 
quent boldness.  I  had  not  been  prepared  for 
quite  as  much  in  a  prince  of  the  blood,  and  prized 
it  the  more.  Passing  in  review  some  of  the 
speakers   in  parliament,  he  specially  commended 


Lord 
Erski 
Samu 
Macij 
Git 
his  hi 
style, 
to  all 
him  hii 
tinent, 
ail  to  V 
to  his 
langua^ 
The 
con  vers 
that  he 
now  est 
of  state 
view  thi 
acquired 
conversa 
but  in  dr 
of  words 
of  nationi 
guage  hn( 
be,  it  wai 


l; 


1818.] 


COURT  OP  LONDON. 


159 


I  I 


Lords  Grey,  Holland,  Lansdowne,  Grenville  and 
Erskine ;  and  of  the  House  of  Commons,  Sir 
Samuel  Romilly,  Mr.  Brougham,  and  Sir  James 
Macintosh. 

Gibbon  was  mentioned.  He  thought  highly  of 
his  historical  research,  but  preferred  Addison's 
style.  The  latter  never  tired.  It  was  adapted 
to  all  subjects.  He  spoke  of  Mr.  Adams,  called 
him  his  friend,  said  he  had  known  him  on  the  con- 
tinent, where,  as  in  England,  he  was  esteemed  by 
all  to  whom  he  was  known.  In  paying  a  tribute 
to  his  talents,  he  mentioned  his  knowledge  of 
languages. 

The  French  was  spoken  of  as  the  language  of 
conversation  in  Europe.  His  royal  highness  said, 
that  he  would  not  perhaps  object  to  this,  as  it  was 
now  established ;  but  when  used  as  the  language 
of  state  papers  and  treaties,  he  was  disposed  to 
view  the  subject  differently.  The  French  was 
acquired  by  foreigners  with  sufficient  precision  for 
conversation,  and  general  purposes  of  literature ; 
but  in  drawing  up  treaties,  whore  the  employment 
of  words  in  their  nicest  shades  of  meaning,  was  often 
of  national  moment,  he  who  wrote  in  his  native  lan- 
guage had  an  advantage;  and  however  slight  it  might 
be,  it  was  enough  to  lay  the  practice  in  question 


t»^- 


t » 


H 


160 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


M 


t' 


open  to  objection.  He  would  suggest  a  remedy ; 
let  treaties,  and  other  solemn  state  papers  to  which 
two  or  more  nations  were  parties,  be  drawn  up  in 
Latin ;  this  would  put  modern  nations  upon  a  par ; 
each  would  stand  upon  the  scholarship  of  their 
public  men.  It  was  to  this  effect  he  spoke ;  and  1 
thought  it  in  the  natural  feeling  of  an  English 
prince. 

The  language  of  France  has  been  diffused  by 
her  social  manners,  the  merit  of  her  writers,  the 
exile  of  her  protestants,  and  the  power  of  her 
monarchy.  Some  of  these  influences  are  past; 
others  are  shared  by  contemporary  nations.  Is 
it  right,  that  the  monopoly  of  her  language  should 
last  forever  ?  I  would  be  much  inclined  to  his  royal 
highness's  remedy,  if  there  were  no  other,  though 
open  to  difliculty,  perhaps,  from  modern  terms  of  art, 
especially  in  war.  But  I  venture  upon  the  sugges- 
tion of  another.  Let  the  language  most  Hkely  to  be 
predominant  throughout  Christendom,  be  the  com- 
mon vehicle  of  Christendom.  If  a  living  language 
is  to  be  adopted  at  all,  this  would  be  the  fairest 
critcn'ion.  The  European  dominions  of  Britain 
have  a  population  of  upwards  of  twenty-two  mil- 
lions ;  the  United  States  count  more  than  twelve, 
to  take  no  notice  of  the  rapid  increase  of  the  lat- 


1818.] 


COURT  OP  LONDON. 


161 


ter,  or  numerous  colonies  of  the  former.  Here  is 
enough  to  authorize  the  beUef,  that,  already,  there 
are  more  persons  to  whom  English  is  the  verna- 
cular tongue,  than  French ;  and  that  it  is  destined 
to  gain,  not  only  upon  the  French,  but  German, 
Spanish,  and  all  others.  There  is  another  fact 
more  applicable.  The  foreign  commerce  of  Bri- 
tain and  that  of  the  United  States  conjointly,  pro- 
bably exceed  that  of  all  Europe.  This  serves,  at 
the  present  day,  to  send  forth  the  English  tongue 
more  extensively  to  all  parts  of  the  globe,  than 
the  French,  or  any  of  Christendom.  Malherbe 
asserted  the  rights  of  his  native  language  so 
strenuously  against  all  foreign  usurpation,  that  he 
gained  at  the  French  court  the  appellation  of 
"  Tyrant  of  words  and  syllables*''  Very  well  in  a 
Frenchman!  but  if  treaties  and  other  interna- 
tional papers  are  always  to  be  written  in  French 
words  and  syllables,  what  becomes  of  the  equal 
independence  of  English  words  and  syllables? 
The  French  are  too  just  to  disparage  the  lan- 
guage of  Milton,  and  New  ton,  and  Locke ;  and 
why  should  they  insist  upon  the  perpetual  prefer- 
ence of  their  own  \  or  rather  why  should  England 


acquiesce 


} 


His  royal  highness,  it  must  be  added,  is  himself 
21 


-A 


«*  »■ 


•'••1 
ri- « 


-1 


162 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


(  • 


g*..-.»'  Y 


*     !  t 


«^i 


an  excellent  linguist.  To  his  knowledge  of  the 
classics,  he  adds  German,  Itahan,  French,  He- 
brew, and  it  may  be  others,  of  which  I  am  not 
informed. 

March  20.  I  learn  through  an  authentic  channel, 
that  the  Duke  of  Richmond  is  to  be  appointed 
governor  in  chief  of  both  the  Canadas,  New 
Brunswick,  and  Nova  Scotia ;  and  Sir  Peregrine 
Maitland,  military  and  acting  governor  of  Upper 
Canada.  The  latter  is  a  major  general  in  the 
British  army,  served  with  reputation  in  the  late 
war  in  the  Peninsula,  and  commanded  a  regiment 
of  the  guards  at  the  battle  of  Waterloo.  Sir  John 
Sherbrooke,  the  late  governor  in  chief,  comes  home, 
my  informant  added,  on  account  of  ill  health. 

It  would  seem,  from  all  I  can  collect,  to  be  the 
intention  of  Great  Britain,  to  strengthen  herself  in 
the  Canadas.  If  she  contemplates  raising  them 
up  as  an  effective  military  barrier  against  the 
United  States,  her  policy  is  unwise.  She  would 
perhaps  justify  the  policy  from  the  incidents  of 
the  last  war  along  that  frontier ;  but  it  would  be  an 
erroneous  foundation  to  go  upon.  New  England 
was  opi^osed  to  the  war,  by  all  her  state  govern- 
ments, and  it  was  unpopular  with  the  inhabitant?' 


181 

of  1 

g0V( 

calci 

and  ( 

its  fi 

tions 

that  1 

all  pi 

cventi 

lion  0 

embar 

growii 

to  be  f 

indeed 

a  field 

iiome, 

niagniti 

Even  tl 

advants 

the  lake 

the  Unii 

power  ir 

the  case 

herself  b 

all,  arc  a 

populatio 


J'^d 


1818.J 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


1G3 


Ivorn- 
litauts 


of  that  quarter  of  the  Union  generally.  The 
government  of  the  United  States  liad  made  large 
calculations  before  the  war  broke  out,  upon  prompt 
and  efficacious  aid  from  the  New  England  States  hi 
its  first  belligerent  movements;  but  the  calcula- 
tions were  not  realized,  which  threw  back  plans  "^ 
that  would  otherwise  have  been  matured,  and  in 
all  probability  have  changed  the  entire  course  of 
events  at  an  early  day  of  'he  contest.  The  popula- 
tion of  New  England  and  New  York,  if  seriously 
embarked  hi  a  national  contest,  is  too  great  and 
growing,  and  all  their  other  resources  too  abundant, 
to  be  easily  counteracted  by  such  a  barrier ;  unless 
indeed  Britain  should  design  to  make  those  colonies 
a  field  for  the  operation  of  her  armies  sent  from 
home,  upon  a  scale  hitherto  unparalleled  for 
magnitude,  in  any  part  of  her  distant  dominions. 
Even  then  she  would  wage  the  contest  under  dis- 
advantages, as  she  did  those  with  her  ships  upon 
the  lakes ;  and  more  and  more,  as  time  advances, 
the  United  States  being  immeasurably  the  gaining 
power  in  that  quarter.  This  must  continue  to  be 
the  case,  however  Britain  may  seek  to  strengthen 
herself  by  sending  over  new  emigrants ;  who,  after 
all,  arc  as  nothing  to  the  advancing  tide  of  native 
population  in  that  strong  district  of  the  Republic. 


4C- 
•«■■  ■' 


■'■■1 


1; 


mat*   '^ 


1" 


.1 


It 


164 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


This  latter  will  perhaps  gain  also  even  by  emigra- 
tion, full  as  fast  as  the  Canadas. 


«•«.-■  r?   "T*-"- 


'it 


\        I 


March  23.  Dined  at  the  lord  mayor's.  It  was 
not  Lord  Mayor^s  day ;  but  a  city  entertainment 
always  given  on  Easter  Monday,  at  the  mansion- 
house.  This  edifice  is  sometimes  called  the  city 
palace.  In  size,  it  resembles  one,  and  in  some 
points  of  architecture ;  but  is  badly  situated, 
being  close  to  the  bank  and  Royal  Exchange. 
The  streets  are  so  narrow  that  you  can  see  it  but 
in  part,  and  it  is  with  difficulty  that  carriages  ap- 
proach it  at  all.  Through  the  courtesy  of  the  lord 
mayor,  the  diplomatic  corps,  are  annually  invited 
to  this  entertainment,  which  is  always  a  gratifying 
one  to  them ;  for  they  see  at  it,  the  image  of  a  great 
and  powerful  class  in  the  empire — the  commercial 
class. 

The  royal  dukes,  some  of  the  nobility,  and  per- 
sons in  station,  were  present.  These,  with  the 
diplomatic  corps,  occupied  seats  in  a  half  circle  at 
the  upper  extremity  of  the  room,  on  an  elevation 
or  dais.  The  tables  in  the  area  below,  were  filled 
with  the  opulent  citizens  of  London.  It  was  a  fine 
sight.  They  might  be  taken  as  a  representative 
body  from   the  great   ocean  of  wealth  between 


fe  * 


1818.] 


COURT    OP   LONDON. 


165 


Temple  bar,  and  London  bridge.  The  room  was 
the  Egyptian  hall,  of  ample  dimensions  and  bril- 
liantly lighted.  A  band  played  as  we  entered. 
The  lord  mayor  and  lady  mayoress  sat  side  by  side 
in  the  centre  of  the  half  circle,  at  the  top  of  the 
dais ;  the  latter  was  in  a  full  court  dress,  and  by 
her  position  faced  the  whole  company ;  a  trying 
situation  which  she  bore  with  grace.  After  all 
the  courses  were  over,  toasts  were  given,  the  first 
I  had  heard  in  England.  Music  was  kept  up,  the 
song  rose,  and  every  thing  ministered  to  the  fes- 
tive feeling.  On  one  side  of  me  was  Sir  Benja- 
min Bloomfield.  At  intervals,  wo  conversed,  prin- 
cipally of  the  United  States.  He  spoke  in  a  very 
friendly  spirit ;  urging  the  benefit  to  both  countries 
of  mutual  good  will  and  good  oflices.  I  listened 
the  more,  as  he  was  private  secretary  to  the  Prince 
Regent.  I  here  also  made  the  acquaintance  of 
the  bishop  of  Oxford,  who  inquired  for,  and  spoke 
highly  of,  Mr.  Bagot,  the  British  minister  in  the 
United  States. 

The  entertainment  closed  with  a  ball  in  another 
part  of  the  building.  Throughout  the  rooms,  were 
insignia  of  the  commerce  and  riches  of  London 
from  an  ancient  day.  The  nation  that  commands 
the  trade  of  the  world,  said  Sir  Walter  Raleigh, 


# 


™  mroMi 

«1,     <•»    IB) 


*'■■■ 

* 
I,  r. 


,J|S" 


n 


*.:.c  ,. 


<M' 


)'*-■' 


I    ' 


166 


RESIDENCE    AT     THE 


[1818. 


commands  its  riches,  and  consequently  the  world 
itself.  Whether  the  saying  be  true  or  not,  the  po- 
licy, the  laws,  the  festive  entertainments,  the  whole 
conduct  of  the  EngUsii,  attest  that  they  never  for- 
get it. 


1816 


Man 
Royal 
his  han 
The 
one  pa 
was  smi 
that   th( 
were  so 
that  pan 
previous 
in  so  im 
could  no 
formed  t 
fongue. 


1818.] 


COURT  OP  LONDON. 


167 


CHAPTER  XL 


VISIT  TO  MR.  WEST.    DINNER  AT  MR.  LYTTLETON'S — AT  LORD 
HOLLAND'S.       A   DAY    AT    DE^TFORD    AND   GREENWICH. 
DINNER    AT    THE    AUSTRIAN    AMBASSADOR'S — AT    EARL 
BATHURST'S.     MARRIAGE, OF    THE   PRINCESS  ELIZABETH. 
DINNER  AT  LORD  BAGOT'S. 

March  26.  Visited  Mr.  West,  president  of  the 
Royal  Academy.  I  found  him  witl  his  pencil  in 
his  hand. 

The  most  curious  piece  in  his  collection,  was 
one  painted  when  he  was  eight  years  old.  It 
was  small,  and  very  imperfect  he  said,  but  added, 
that  the  primary  colours,  blue,  red  and  yellow, 
were  so  justly  blended,  that  he  could  not  improve 
that  part  of  the  work.  On  asking  if  he  had  any 
previous  instruction  that  enabled  him  to  go  right 
in  so  important  a  particular,  he  replied,  no ;  he 
could  no  more  say  how  his  judgment  had  been 
formed  to   it,  than  how   ho    learned   his   mother 


4C 


II*- 


r 

I- 


■   * 


I' 


,...J, 


If  * 

if'  ' 


Hit  K       '    •*■•''•••.■» 


tongue. 


r  I 


168 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


The  piece  to  which  he  pointed  with  most  inter- 
est, was  the  "  Continence  of  '^«:ipio."  It  had  been 
instrumental  in  bringing  hi\u  into  notice,  forty 
years  before.  George  III.  sent  for  it,  and  kept 
it  for  some  time  at  his  palace.  At  his  majesty's 
request,  he  had  painted  a  series  of  historical  pieces, 
from  the  New  Testament.  They  were  at  Windsor, 
to  be  put  up  in  a  chapel  the  king  contemplated 
building. 

The  number  of  pieces  in  his  rooms  was  very 
great.  He  had  been  computing  the  dimensions  of 
a  gallery,  to  contain  all  he  had  ever  painted.  He 
found  that  it  w  ould  require  one  four  hundred  feet 
long,  fifty  broad  and  forty  high.  The  piece  from 
Lear,  in  the  Academy  of  Arts  at  Philadelphia,  w  as, 
he  said,  among  those  with  the  execution  of  which 
he  had  been  best  satisfied.  I  spoke  of  his  "  Christ 
healing  the  Sick,"  in  the  Hospital  at  Philadelphia, 
remarking  how  highly  it  was  prized ;  all  the  town 
had  flocked  to  see  it.  He  spoke  of  a  criticism 
upon  it  in  Philadelphia,  in  the  pamphlet  form,  that 
had  come  under  his  notice;  said  it  was  written  in 
a  scholar-like  manner,  and  with  a  perfect  know- 
ledge of  the  subject.  He  knew  not  the  author,  nor 
could  I  inform  him. 
This  eminent   ard  venerable  artist,  was  then 


181 

neai 

Phil! 

and 

alius 

me  g 

do,  I 

able 

Engla 

house 

folios 

and  a 

them  J 

taste  f( 

have  I 

hope,  1 

he  beli 

me  the 

product 

knew  th 

were  in 

they  ope 

it  was  bi 

cessary 

and  with 

become  j 

art  was 


1818.]  COURT  OP  LONDON.  169 

nearly  eighty.  A  native  American,  bom  near 
Philadelphia,  he  adverted  to  scenes  of  his  early  life, 
and  I  was  enabled  to  understand  some  of  his  local 
allusions.  His  patriarchal  look  and  character,  gave 
me  something  of  the  filial  feeling.  What  am  I  to 
do,  I  asked,  as  our  conversation  proceeded,  to  be 
able  to  judge  of  paintings?  Wherever  I  go,  in 
England,  I  meet  with  them;  in  palaces,  private 
houses,  every  where;  engravings  rest  in  port 
folios ;  I  see  nothing  but  the  works  of  your  art, 
and  all  persons  appear  to.  have  a  knowledge  of 
them ;  I  the  rather  ask,  as  there  is  a  growing 
taste  for  the  arts  in  the  United  States ;  republics 
have  been  celebrated  for  them;  we  cherish  the 
hope,  that  this  may  be  our  lot.  He  replied,  that 
he  believed  he  could  not  do  better  than  name  to 
me  the  discourses  of  Sir  Joshua  Reynolds.  Those 
productions,  I  said,  but  increased  my  despair ;  we 
knew  them  in  Philadelphia ;  I  had  read  them ;  they 
were  ingenious,  profound ;  but  what  a  universe 
they  opened — wider  than  the  poet's  in  Rasselas  ; 
it  was  boundless ;  all  kind  of  knowledge  was  ne- 
cessary to  the  painter,  and  could  we,  with  less, 
and  without  superadding  the  practice  of  the  eye, 
become  judges  of  painting  ?  He  agreed  that  the 
art  was  boundless ;  said  that  he  every  day  saw 
22 


. .     .  If  •» 


I     -it 


-••ij 


,(-<    h 


» 


i«p,i. 


170 


RESIPENCK   AT  THE 


[1818. 


181^ 


r  ■'    , 


something  to  learn  in  it ;  told  the  anecdote  of  the 
clergyman  who  preached  one  of  Sir  Joshua's  dis- 
courses from  the  pulpit,  omitting  technical  words, 
as  a  proot  of  its  foundation  in  the  principles  of 
man's  general  nature,  and  admitted  that  it  could 
only  be  successfully  studied  in  conjunction  with 
practice  5  in  other  words,  that  the  eye  could  not 
gain  a  quick  or  sure  perception  of  beauties  and 
defects,  but  by  familiarity  with  the  best  models.  I 
said  it  was  this  which  gave  to  the  English  their  fa- 
cihties ;  foreign  travel  was  so  common  with  them, 
that  they  saw  the  best  models  abroad,  and  then 
kept  the  eye  in  practice  at  home ;  the  Vatican,  the 
Louvre,  the  Museum  at  the  Hague,  the  collections 
in  the  Low  Countries,  Spain,  and  elsewhere,  per- 
sons whom  you  met  every  day,  had  more  or  less 
seen.  It  was  somewhat  the  same  with  lx)oks  of  tra- 
vels. If  you  alluded  to  the  latest  respecting  Franco, 
a  gentleman  by  your  side  had  been  over  the  ground, 
and  perhaps  knew  more  than  the  book  told  you; 
if  you  spoke  of  the  Coliseum,  or  St.  Peter's,  half  the 
company  had  been  at  Rome;  and  so  of  other 
places.  He  replied  that  it  was  true:  ICnglishinon 
travelled  a  great  deal;  all  did  not  bring  back  mc- 
ful  information  in  th(^  arts,  but  so  many  went 
abroad,  that  the  numlM»r  was  still  gre^t  who  did; 


henc 

Engli 

with 

visite 

Englf 

other 

were  i 

the  ri 

where 

the  pr 

ford  a 

there  } 

greater] 

the  opi 

an  hou 

collect! 

he  said 

always 

It  Wf 

Once  tl 
of  his  n 
felt  in  h 
in  his  u 
inspired 
view, 
with  rei 
not  long 


^^f^" 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


171 


hence  there  were  more  good  judges  of  painting  in 
England,  than  good  painters;  it  was  rare  to  meet 
with  a  person  of  leisure  and  fortune  who  had  not 
visited  Italy  and  France,  if  not  more  countries ; 
England  also  contained  more  paintings  than  any 
other  country,  not  in  public  depositories,  for  there 
were  none  worth  speaking  of,  but  in  private  houses; 
the  rich  bought  up  the  best  upon  the  continent 
wherever  to  be  had ;  he  would  be  glad  to  point  out 
the  private  collections  to  me ;  those  of  Lord  Staf- 
ford and  Lord  Grosvenor  stood  at  the  head,  but 
there  were  others  scattered  al)out  town,  and  in  far 
greater  number  all  over  the  country,  at  the  seats  of 
the  opulent.  lie  invited  me  to  call  whenever  I  had 
an  hour  to  throw  away,  and  saunter  through  his  own 
collection  for  all  that  it  might  be  worth  to  me,  as 
he  said,  adding  that  he  would  saunter  with  me,  being 
always  at  home. 

It  was  thus  that  he  received  and  talked  to  me. 
Once  there  was  a  tear,  that  the  early  recollections 
of  his  native  land  seemed  to  have  drawn  down.  I 
felt  in  his  fame  the  intcrosi  of  a  countryman,  and 
in  his  whole  manner  there  was  a  cordiality  which 
inspired  personal  attachment,  even  in  n  first  inter- 
view. As  often  as  1  saw  him  afterwards,  it  was 
with  renewed  pleasure  and  advantage;  but  it  was 
not  long,  iK'fore  I  was  summoned  to  bear  his  pall. 


it- 

«  ■' 

•(.f  ^ 

nn 

. ...-  h 

■  •t-M 

*{■<. 

•>  ,  .   ,^ 

t: 

,•'•••?} 

tc 

-fl 

■(- 

-:: 

•  > 

.  i 

i 

•  <* 

' 

..*« 

Ik 

•-      ■» 

t»*i^ 

1*~ 

v*^ 

J? 

ff*-  *    .J 


172  RESIDENCE  AT  THE  [1818. 

March  27.  We  were  entertained  at  dinner  by  Mr. 
and  Lady  Sarah  Lyttleton.  Mr.  Lyttleton  is  in  par- 
liament, and  heir  presumptive  to  Hagley  with  the 
title  of  its  possessor.  I  spoke  of  the  eloquent  let- 
ters publislied  under  the  name  of  one  of  his  family. 
He  said  that  it  was  an  admitted  point  that  they  had 
not  been  written  by  Lord  Lyttleton.  Sir  Humphry 
Davy  was  at  table.  The  newsmen  had  been  blow- 
ins  horns  about  the  streets  on  a  false  rumour  of 
Bonaparte's  death.  "  When  that  happens,"  said 
Sir  Humphry,  '•^Europe  will  fly  up,  compression beimr 
o^."  We  had  also  Lady  Davy,  Miss  Fanshawe, 
Earl  Spencer,  Lord  Folkstone  and  Mr.  Luttrel. 
riiere  was  a  flow  of  that  kind  of  conversation  that 
gives  charm  to  a  dinner  party,  our  reception  having 
been  as  friendly  as  courteous  by  this  accomplished 
pair;  in  whom  ihe  taste  for  literature  is  blended 
with  the  personal  qualities  that  heighten  its  attrac- 
tions. It  was  impossible  not  to  recall,  in  thought 
at  least,  on  this  occasion,  the  recollection  of  those 
"  scenes  of  i7«^/c//,"  so  beautifully  embalmed  in  the 
monody  with  which  all  are  familiar,  from  the  |)en 
of  Mr.  Ly ttleton's  ancestor. 


March  W.    Dined  at  Lord  Holhnurs.    His  lord- 
ship and  Lady  Holland,  the  Marquis  of  Lansdowne, 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


173 


Lord  Morpeth,  Lord  Maitland,  Sir  Jame?^  Mac- 
intosh and  Mr.  Tierney  were  of  the  company. 

Lord  Holland  spoke  of  the  institutions  of  the 
United  States.  Our  system,  he  said,  appeared 
suited  to  our  circumstances;  he  hoped  that  we 
would  not  put  it  to  risk  hy  a  fondness  for  war;  hut 
was  there  no  fear  that  the  excitements  apt  to  arise 
under  popular  forms,  and  the  courage  that  springs 
from  freedom,  might  make  us  prone  to  war  ?  I  re- 
plied, that  our  reliances  was  in  the  checks  which 
our  Constitution  raised  up,  and  chiefly,  that  the 
people,  who  must  suffer  from  war  and  pay  its  ex- 
penses, were  tlu^  power  who  alone,  hy  their  repre- 
sentatives, could  declare  it.  He  hore  testimony  to 
th(;  merit  of  President  Monroe,  whom  he  had 
known  in  personal  and  official  relations,  saying, 
that  in  such  hands  our  Repuhlic,  as  far  as  depended 
on  the  chief  magistrate,  might  always  he  considered 
safe. 

I  askcnl  Sir  .Tamos  Mach.tfj-ih  -Awn  we  were  to 
he  favoured  with  tlu  history  t'.e  puhlic  had  heen 
led  to  hope  he  was  prepr.rmg.  TT<'  spoke  douht- 
fully.  Huuk;  was  mentioned.  He  could  not  al- 
ways agree  with  him,  he  said,  hut  conimended  the 
ironeral  spirit  of  his  history;  the  whoN'  iid«'ed  was 
masterly;  tlu*  Ix^st  portion,  that  which  (onjprisrd 
the  reigns  of  the  Tudors,  particulnrly  Lli/alK)thV. 


iC 

■^>   IM 

■  <' 

">'" 

'i--»»» 

•  r^ 

'    '    •» 

V 

.  '■■■a 

l« 

LI 

»»■ 

xT 

JM-% 

<:' 

f  > 

«.  -^'m 


■'-»^t, 


174 


RESIDENCK    AT  THE 


[1818. 


1816 


He  spoke  of  Robertson  and  Gibbon;  both  were 
careful  inquirers  into  facts;  Gibbon's  research  was 
profound,  but  he  saw  objections  to  his  style.  He 
spoke  of  Franklin's  style  with  nothing  but  praise; 
it  was  more  than  pure;  it  was  classic;  it  was 
neither  the  stvle  of  Addison  nor  Swift;  it  had  the 
simplicity  of  theirs,  but  an  original  and  graceful 
playfulness  not  carried  too  far,  which  neither  of  the 
others  had  in  so  great  a  degree.  Lord  Holland 
asked  if  it  could  be  true  that  his  works,  and  espe- 
cially his  style,  were  not  popular  in  the  United 
States;  he  had  seen  late  publications  seeming  to 
point  that  way.  My  own  knowledge  and  observa- 
tion, I  said,  would  lead  me  to  a  different  conclusion 
as  to  the  opinions  and  taste  of  my  countrymen. 

Holland  house,  where  we  dined,  four  miles  from 
London,  is  a  venerable  building.  Among  other  as- 
sociations that  go  with  it,  is  the  name  of  Addison, 
who  lived  here,  after  his  marriage  to  the  Countess 
of  Warwick.  After  diiuier,  we  went  into  the  room 
that  had  been  his  library,  and  is  now  Lord  Hol- 
land's. It  is  a  very  long  on(\  Addison  was  not 
happy  in  his  marriage,  and  the  jocose  tradition  (»t 
the  house  is,  that  he  kept  his  bottle  at  each  end  of 
this  room,  so  that  in  his  walks  backw  rds  and  for- 
wards he  might  take  i  glass  at  each!  It  was  the 
HKHU  in  which  he  wrotc^  liis  despatches  when  scc- 


retai 

Sir  J 

of  in 

aJwaj 

other 

tings, 

of  the 

as  kif] 

the  sa 

and  ji 

same 

happilj 

lislunei 

same  t 

I  res 

when  1 

on  our 

peculiai 

per  ace 

world ; 

were  cc 

reposito 

rescued 

tieularly 

life  of  e 

wen; un 


1818.] 


1  ^\ 


COURT  OF    LONDON. 


175 


retary  of  state.  The  Spectator  beiii<^  mentioned, 
Sir  James  said  that  it  had  lost  its  vahie  as  a  book 
of  instruction,  but  as  a  standard  of  style  would 
always  last.  I  listened  with  interest  to  these  and 
other  remarks  from  him.  His  .speeches  and  wri- 
tings, read  on  the  banks  of  the  Delaware  as  those 
of  the  Thames,  had  taught  me  to  regard  his  mind 
as  kindred  to  Burke's;  the  same  elementary  power; 
the  same  application  of  the  philosophy  of  politics 
and  jurisprudence  to  practical  occurrences ;  the 
same  use  of  history,  never  heavily,  but  always 
happily  brought  in ;  the  same  aptitude  for  embel- 
lishment, not  so  gorgeous,  but  always  chaste;  the 
same  expansion  and  universality. 

I  resumed  the  topic  of  his  history,  I  said  that 
when  he  got  to  the  American  revolution  we  should 
on  our  side  of  the  Atlnr^tic,  o|)en  his  pages  with 
peculiar  interest;  that  we  believed  the  full  and  pro- 
per account  of  it,  had  not  yet  gone  forth  to  the 
world;  that  among  us,  were  still  left  a  few  who 
were  contemporury  with  it,  whose  minds  were  the 
repositories  of  facts  and  reflections  which,  if  not 
rescued  in  time,  would  perish.  I  instanced,  par- 
ticularly, Mr.  JelftTson  and  tlu;  cldir  Adams.  The 
life  of  each,  liung  by  a  thread;  but  their  faculties 
wt^rr  unimpaired.     If  he  thought  it  worth  while  to 


i     \ 


176 


RESIDENCE    AT  THE 


[1818. 


embark  in  a  correspondence  with  these  fathers  of 
our  country,  who,  hke  himself,  could  have  no  ob- 
ject but  truth,  I  would  be  happy  to  be  the  medium 
of  its  commencement.     Some  light  he  might  hope 
to   glean;  and  if,  examining  also  for  himself,  he 
should  find  it  the  light  of  truth,  would  it  not  be 
worthy  of  both  nations  to  establish  this  part  of 
their  common  history  on  a  basis  that  both  might 
approve  ?     He  caught  at  the  suggestion,  and  fol- 
lowed it  up  with  inquiries,  saying  he  would  avail 
himself  of  it.     But  it  was  not  acted  upon.     I  do 
not  believe  that  the  omission  arose  from  any  di- 
minished sense  of  the  value  of  the  aid  he  would 
probably  b/ive   derived,   but   other    causes.     His 
parliamentary  engagements  took  up  much  of  his 
time ;  those  at  the  India  College  had  their  claims, 
and  shall  I  add,  as  another  and  natural  hindrance, 
the  claims  of  daily  society  upon  him  in  the  highest 
spheres,  uniting,  as  he  did,  the  ease  of  the  man  of 
the  world  to  intellectual  stores  attractive  and  inex- 
haustible.   Such  iiieu  grow  to  be  favourites  in  these 
spheres  in  London.     Chains   are   thrown   around 
t!'<'m,  II  )t  easily  to  be  broken. 

The  conve:  .tion  from  which  I  have  minuted  a 
small  part,  took  place  after  we  had  risen  from 
dinrier,  and   were  in  the  library,  where  coffee  was 


and 
as  c 
kind 
knoi 
he  n 
and  i 
ment 
giorv, 
Oman 
ed  an( 
ancest 
ofafe 
came  ( 
I  mi 
house  ( 
novels 
or  two 
among 
Lady  U 
write  d 
Paper  a 
as  each 
and  eac 
happy  ill 

^inating 


!  ! 


L8. 

ob- 

ium 

lope 

f,  be 

)tbe 

rt  of 

[\igbt 

dfol- 

avail 
I  do 

ny  di- 

would 
His 

of  bis 
laims, 
ranee, 
i^rbest 
\au  of 
1  inex- 
tliese 

irounii 

luted  a 

from 

;e  was 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON, 


177 


handed.  At  table,  it  was  suited  to  the  moment, 
and  with  the  moment  passing  away.  Of  hospitality 
as  dispensed  by  Lord  Holland  I  had  heard ;  of  its 
kindness,  its  elegance.  His  standing  as  a  peer  is 
known ;  and  not  less,  the  many  attainments  which 
he  makes  subservient  to  the  pleasures  of  society 
and  friendship.  In  his  house,  opulence  and  refine- 
ment seem  to  lend  their  aids  to  invest  letters  with 
glory.  The  room  in  which  we  dined  was  richly 
ornamented.  I  understood  that  it  had  been  paint- 
ed and  gilded  as  I  saw,  by  one  of  Lord  Holland's 
ancestors  in  the  time  of  Charles  L  on  the  occasion 
of  a  fete  given  to  Henrietta  his  queen,  when  she 
came  over  from  France. 

I  must  mention  an  incident  at  one  of  the  Holland 
house  dinners,  though  I  was  not  present.     Scott's 
novels  became  a  topic,  a  new  one  being  out.     One 
or   two    of  the    company   expressed   preferences 
among  them.     Before  opinion  had  gone  farther, 
Lady  Holland  proposed   that  each  person  should 
write  down  the   name  of  the   novel   liked  best. 
Paper  and  pencil  were  passed,  and  a  slip  torn  off 
as  each  wrote.     Nine  slips   were  handed  to  her, 
and  each  had  the  name  of  a  different  novel !  a 
happy  illustration  of  thc^  various  merit  of  this  fas- 
cinating writer. 
23 


ii 


.■  u 


\ 


\'-^ 
c 

.«;- 


»  1 


r 


.^■♦ix.:"'.''o 


I   4 


178 


ltE»It)fi:NcC    AT    THfi 


[1818. 


April  1.  Went  to  Deptford  with  Sir  Humphry 
Davy.  His  carriage  was  at  the  door  when  I  drove 
up  at  an  early  hour  to  his  house.  An  accident 
happening  to  it,  he  took  a  seat  in  mine.  Our 
conversation  was  chiefly  about  the  United  States, 
he  leading  it  by  his  rapid,  intelligent  inquiries. 
One  object  of  our  excursion  was  to  see  the  ships 
fitting  out  for  the  polar  voyage.  We  went  on 
board  the  Isabella.  Outside  she  looked  like  any 
common  merchant  vessel,  equipped  for  boisterous 
seas,  with  the  addition  of  double  planking  round 
her  bow  and  sides  to  resist  ice.  The  interior  ar- 
rangements embraced  whatever  science  could  de- 
vise and  mechanical  skill  effect,  to  promote  the 
objects  of  the  expedition  and  comfort  of  the  officers 
and  men.  Flues  for  diflfusing  heated  air  through 
the  ship,  nautical  and  philosophical  instruments  of 
all  kinds,  with  a  library  that  seemed  to  contain  the 
accounts  of  all  former  voyages  of  discovery,  were 
to  be  seen.  Parliament,  to  increase  the  zeal 
of  the  officers,  had  included  them  within  the  pro- 
mise of  reward  to  those  who  ascertained  most 
nearly  the  longitude.  After  going  through  nearly 
all  parts  of  the  ship,  we  went  into  the  naval  dock 
yard,  and  afterwards  to  Greenwich  to  see  the 
hospital. 


1818.] 


COURT   OF  LONDOr*. 


179 


Deptford  is  the  smallest  of  the  English  dock 
yards,  and  we  therefore  saw  but  few  ships  of  war. 
Only  one  ot  the  line,  and  three  frigates  were  build- 
ing. There  were  docks  for  repairing  as  well  as 
building.  We  saw  several  royal  yachts ;  among 
them,  a  very  old  one,  the  same  that  had  conveyed 
Caroline  Matilda,  sister  of  George  III.  to  Denmark, 
on  the  occasion  of  her  marriage  to  the  king  of  that 
country.  The  Danes  sent  it  back  to  England, 
refusing  to  keep  it  after  the  attack  upon  their 
capital,  and  capture  of  their  fleet,  by  Britain,  in 
1801.  Although  this  is  the  smallest  of  the  yards, 
it  is  not  without  importance,  from  being  so  near 
London.  The  business  of  supplying  the  navy 
with  provisions,  is,  or  until  lately  was,  carried  on 
from  a  depot  adjoining  it.  Sir  Humphry  spoke  of 
their  excellent  quality,  remarking  how  much  the 
strength  and  courage  of  seamen,  depended  upon 
food.  They  got,  he  said,  bread  and  beef  of  the 
best  quality  and  in  full  quantity ;  an  ample  allow- 
ance of  malt  liquor ;  wine  and  cocoa,  with  all  other 
things  proper  for  the  sea  ration.  In  the  timber 
piled  up  in  the  yard,  I  observed  mahogany.  The 
commissioner  said  it  was  used  not  merely  for 
decks,  as  in  the  royal  yachts,  some  of  which  ap- 
pear to  be  about   three  hundred  tons  burden  and 


3    I 


•  t^ 

r   ■' 

•  St 

IT 

1 1- 

If 


•virtuM 

•-»    Ml 


-41 


« 


^ 


180 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


r   ' 


t 


are  mairniticently  fitted  up  rii:d  iurnished,  but  with 
advantage,  as  knees  and  beams,  in  the  heaviest 
ships.  The  timber  of  all  kinds  on  hand  in  the 
yard,  generally  amounted  to  a  supply  for  three 
years.  It  consisted  of  English  oak  chiefly ;  but 
they  also  got  supplies  of  foreign  timber.  A 
quantity  was  soon  expected  from  the  ibrests  of 
Croatia  and  Dalmatia,  under  contracts  with  the 
government  of  Vienna.  They  also  obtained  it 
from  the  liallic.  This  they  thought  good,  when 
cut  from  the  southern  shores.  From  their  North 
American  possessions,  they  did  not  get  much, 
except  for  large  masts.  The  attachments  of 
Cjleorge  III.  to  the  na\  y  were  spoken  of,  his  feel- 
ings as  monarch  being  seconded,  as  was  said,  by 
a  personal  fondness  for  naval  architecture  and  af- 
fairs of  the  sea.  He  had  first  evinced  it  in  promot- 
ing the  voyages  of  Byron  and  Cook,  as  soon  as  he 
got  to  the  throne.  It  was  added,  that  at  Bucking- 
ham palace,  he  was  furviisluul  with  models  of  the 
dock  yards,  and,  occasionally,  of  the  vessels  build- 
ing; which  he  took  an  interest  in  examining.  These 
modes  of  exerting  a  superintendence  over  the  navy, 
seem  better  in  themselves,  and,  it  must  be  owned, 
more  befitted  a  sovereign,  than  if  he  had  turned 
ship  carpenter,  like  Peter  of  Russia.     The  yard  at 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


181 


Deptford  was  one  of  those  in  which  that  eccentric 
monarch  worked. 

Commissioner  Cunninojham  received  us  very 
kindly  at  his  house  witliin  the  yard ;  nor  would  he 
allow  us  to  depart  without  partaking  of  a  collation. 

We  proceeded  on  towards  Greenwich.  Going 
through  the  streets,  and  stopping  a  moment,  an 
incident  arrested  my  attention.  A  woman  stood 
at  the  door  of  a  house  where  cheap  refreshments 
were  sold.  Some  labo,  ini^  people  passing  along, 
she  called  out  to  ask  i  aiey  would  take  tea.  It 
was  about  one  o'clock.  Houses  of  this  kind  I  un- 
derstood were  not  uncommon  in  London.  I  had 
myself  observed  tea  sold  in  the  streets,  near  Char- 
ing Cross,  by  huckster  women,  who  obtained  the 
boiling  water  by  means  of  coals  in  a  pan,  or  a  lamp. 
In  a  country  where  the  light  wines  are  not  pro- 
duced, the  first  step  into  temperance  is  small  beer; 
the  next,  tea.  The  national  schools  in  England 
have  done  much  towards  meliorating  the  condition 
of  her  people.  The  use  of  tea  has  co-operated,  by 
doing  more  of  late  years,  probably,  than  any  other 
physical  cause,  towards  lessening  the  appetite  for 
ardent  spirits.  It  acts  not  so  much  by  reclaiming 
old  drunkards,  as  diminishing  the  stock  of  new. 
What  a  sight,  to  see  this  woman  beckoning  labour- 


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KESIDENCE   AT  THE 


[1818. 


.'  I 


ll 


ing  men  to  tea,  instead  of  drams !  The  use  of  tea 
in  England,  is  universal.  It  is  the  breakfast  of  the 
wealthy  as  of  the  poorer  classes.  On  passing  to 
the  drawing  rooms  from  the  sumptuous  dinner 
table,  the  cordial  cup  of  Mocha  coffee  is  first 
brought  in;  but  after  an  interval,  tea  is  also 
served.  A  general  in  the  Duke  of  WelHngton's 
army  told  me,  that  when  worn  down  with  fatigue, 
there  was  nothin  ^  for  which  the  officers  in  the  Pe- 
ninsular war  used  to  call  so  eagerly,  as  tea.  Ser- 
vants in  London  take  it  twice  a  day,  sometimes 
oftener,  and  the  occurrence  at  Greenwich  shows 
the  taste  for  it  to  be  spreading  among  labouring 
c'a^ses  at  all  hours.  What  strong  motives  are 
these  in  countries  where  tea  is  used,  for  the  law- 
makers to  reduce  the  duty  on  its  importation  to 
the  lowest  possible  point,  or  for  abolishing  it  alto- 
gether. 

We  soon  got  near  the  hospital.  The  day  was 
fine.  I  saw,  as  we  approached,  men  in  uniform — 
a  blue  coat  full  in  front,  flapped  waistcoat,  with 
breeches  and  stockings,  and  three-cornered  hats. 
Until  we  got  near,  a  stranger  might  have  taken 
them  for  an  assemblage  of  old  admirals.  They 
were  the  pensioners — common  seamen.  Some 
were  sunning  themselves  on  seats ;  othern  moved 


I 


181$.] 


COURT   OF   LONDON 


183 


slowly  about.  I  heard  no  talking  from  any.  Alto- 
gether, they  had  a  venerable  appearance.  Arrived 
within  the  high  palisades  of  iron,  I  was  struck  with 
the  extent  and  grandeur  of  the  building.  Domes; 
single  and  double  rows  of  columns ;  flights  of  solid 
steps ;  Corinthian  porticos,  met  the  eye  on  all  sides. 
The  whole  was  of  Portland  stone,  and  on  a  terrace 
fronting  the  Thames.  I  had  heard  that  English 
hospitals  were  like  palaces;  and  now  the  one  be- 
fore me,  far  exceeded  any  palace  I  had  yet  beheld. 
The  interior  corresponded  with  the  outside.  There 
was  ample  space,  the  utmost  neatness,  and  univer- 
sal order.  The  number  of  pensioners  drawing  the 
funds  of  the  institution,  was  more  than  thirty  thou- 
sand. Those  accommodated  within  the  building, 
amounted  to  about  three  thousand.  A  naval  asy- 
lum for  minors  is  annexed,  in  which  are  eight 
hundred  boys  and  two  hundred  girls,  children  of 
British  seamen,  all  educated  and  otherwise  pro- 
vided for.  Some  of  the  apartments  of  the  hospital, 
as  the  chapel  and  great  hall,  are  supcTbly  orna- 
mented. In  the  first  is  the  shipwreck  of  St.  Paul, 
a  large  painting  by  West,  which  fills  the  space 
over  the  altar,  and  to  which  you  ascend  by  a  range 
of  long  steps  of  black  marble.  There  are  repre- 
sentations of  our  Saviour  stilling  the  tempest  and 


,1 


..it.- 


II 


184 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


M 


walking  upon  the  waves,  with  various  other  costly 
emblems  from  the  pencil  and  chisel,  having  relation 
to  the  sea.  In  the  great  hall,  the  ceiling  exhibits 
paintings  which  years  of  labouring  art  had  been 
necessary  to  perfect,  portraying  under  appropriate 
allegories,  astronomical  and  nautical  science,  inter- 
mingled with  insignia  of  the  naval  glory  of  England. 
Probably  no  age  or  nation  can  show  a  charity 
more  splendid;  the  first  approach  so  imposing,  the 
minute  examination  so  calculated  to  augment  ad- 
miration. 

But,  there  arose  a  reflection  that  I  could  not 
repress.  Many  of  the  veterans  whom  I  saw,  had, 
doubtless  fought  under  the  compulsion  of  impress- 
ment. As  I  looked  on  their  hoary  locks  and  scar- 
red faces,  I  thought  that  a  country  treating  its 
seamen  thus,  was  hound  to  lodge  them  like  kings 
when  old  or  wounded ;  that,  in  fact,  it  was  only  a 
payment  back,  and  not  adequate,  for  the  previous 
infliction  of  such  a  wrong.  It  is  to  me  an  unac- 
countable anomaly,  that  a  nation  in  which  indivi- 
dual rights  are  guarded  by  barriers  such  as  no 
other  ever  raised  up  except  the  nation  in  the  new 
world  that  springs  from  her;  who  would  wade 
through  blood  sooner  than  part  with  her  habeas 
corpus  or  trial  by  jury,  should  yet  sit  calmly  down 


1818. 

under 
said  t 
Poor  ( 
laboui 
for  it, 
the  ris 
suppog 
ever  1> 
that  SL 
statesr 
last  a\^ 
for  the 
be  that 
been  ci 
states, 
force  fi 
general 
this  haf 
lijose 
imperfe 
shunne( 
fundam 
sonal  h 
civil  la 
nental 
not  vol  I 


1818.] 


COURT   OF   LONDON. 


185 


under  this  unjust  and  tyrannical  practice.  It  is 
said  that  her  navy  cannot  otherwise  be  manned. 
Poor  excuse!  as  if  it  were  not  universally  true,  that 
labour  of  any  kind  can  be  commanded  by  paying 
for  it,  and  of  course  labour  upon  the  ocean,  with 
the  risk  of  battle  and  death  superadded;  and  as  if, 
supposing  it  to  cost  ten  times  over  what  would 
ever  be  asked,  it  ought  not  to  be  paid,  sooner  than 
that  such  an  outrage  should  be  committed !  The 
statesmen,  the  philanthropists,  of  England,  will  at 
last  awake  from  this  dream  of  supposed  necessity 
for  the  press-gang.  It  will  cease,  and  the  wonder 
be  that  any  arguments  for  sustaining  it  could  have 
been  current  so  long.  There  have,  it  is  true,  been 
states,  ancient  and  modern,  that  have  resorted  to 
force  for  obtaining  military  service;  but  it  has 
generally  been  for  temporary  purposes,  and  where 
this  has  not  been  the  case,  the  states  have  been 
li)ose  in  which  personal  rights  have  been  only 
imperfectly  protected.  The  precedents  are  to  be 
shunned,  not  copied;  especially  by  a  nation  whose 
fundamental  code  looks  to  the  inviolability  of  per- 
sonal liberty  in  a  degree  far  above  that  of  the 
civil  law  of  Rome,  or  any  of  the  codes  of  conti- 
nental Europe  engrafted  upon  that  stock.  I  did 
not  volunteer  my  thoughts  upon  my  English  com- 
24 


,^    jv  ,-■■«■;•» 

*  -'i  « , .  ,^ 

■   ai*  M-t, 

,,  '019 .  >;% 


*  n 

1 

Jll 


I 


186 


RESIDENCE  AT    THE 


[1818. 


i 

u 

i 

I 


panion ;  but  if  I  had,  I  scarcely  think  that  dissent 
would  have  come  from  his  liberal  mind,  accustom- 
ed as  it  was  to  analyze  and  reason. 

We  visited  in  the  last  place  the  observatory  at 
Greenwich.  Mr.  Pond,  the  astronomer  royal, 
received  us  in  the  same  hospitable  manner  as 
Commissioner  Cunningham.  We  ascended  to  the 
top  of  the  edifice,  seeing  all  the  astronomical  in- 
struments in  use.  When  chronometers  were  spo- 
ken of,  it  was  stated  that  the  government  ordered 
twelve  to  be  made  every  year  by  the  best  watch- 
makers in  London.  For  the  one  which  kept  the 
most  accurate  time,  a  premium  was  given;  for 
the  next  best,  a  diminished  premium ;  and  the  re- 
maining ten,  if  approved,  were  taken  at  fair  prices. 
All  were  for  the  use  of  the  public  ships.  In  this 
way  competition  was  kept  up,  no  watchmaker 
suffered  loss,  and  the  navy  got  a  supply  of  the  best 
instruments  for  measuring  time  in  all  latitudes. 
The  hour  for  our  return  pressing,  we  hastened  back 
to  town,  after  a  day  which,  to  me,  had  been  one 
of  great  variety  and  interest.  The  secretary  of 
legation  and  Captain  Thompson  of  the  navy  of  the 
United  States,  were  of  the  party.  Sir  Humphry's 
ardour  of  conversation  did  not  abate  going  home. 
It  related  in  part  to  what  we  had  seen ;  with  an 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


187 


intermixture  of  anecdotes  of  eminent  persons  in 
England. 


ii 


April  2.     Dined  at  Prince   Esterhazy's ;  com- 
pany— the  diplomatic  corps  and  their  ladies.     The 
dinner  was  one  to  have  been  expected  from  the 
munificence  of  the  entertainer.     Among  a  variety 
of  wines,  we  had  hock.     By  Austrain  connoisseurs 
this  is  not  prized  so  much  on  account  of  its  age, 
as  its  original  quality ;  when  best,  they  think  it  does 
not  improve  after  twelve  or  fifteen  years;  perhaps 
no  wine  does.     The  preference  at  English,  as  at 
foreign  tables  in  London,  is  for  the  light  wines ; 
the  strong,  as  maderia  and  sherry,  are  little  used ; 
sherry   most.     Generally  it  is  limited  to  a  single 
glass,  after  soup.     With  the  latter,  every  dinner 
begins ;  turbot  and  salmon  generally  follow,  before 
the  meats  are  disclosed  from  under  their  glittering 
covers.     We  had  French  cookery  in  its  perfection, 
which  I  find  universal  at  English  as  foreign  tables. 
Mr.  Morris,  American  minister  in  France  at  the  time 
of  the  revolution,  said,  that  if  the  French  had  re- 
volutionized the  kitchens  of  Europe  instead  of  its 
courts,  they  would  have  rendered  a  service  that  no 
party  would  have  called  in  question.     He  was  right. 
Food  simply  roasted  or  boiled,  is  thought  temper- 


■'  '    I*     '«■  »    Ml 

ii;         '■'■■■•*»«* 

,..1    •VX    I*.  »-•.}•  ji 


US'! 


I 


it 


188 


RESIDEl^CE    At    the 


[1818. 


ll 


anc3;  but  the  French  know  better,  and  that  to 
render  it  simple  as  well  as  savoury,  a  process  more 
articificial  is  required.  Hence  the  made  dishes, 
like  the  light  wines  of  France,  proniote  health  and 
cheerfulness.  Oppression  seldom  follows  indul- 
gence in  them;  gout  as  rarely. 

Talking  with  the  prince  after  coming  out  from 
dinner,  we  spoke  of  the  campaigns  of  Frederick. 
There  is  a  pretty  little  fact  with  which  he  was 
familiar  on  my  allusion  to  it.  After  Berlin  was 
taken  by  the  Austrians  and  Russiafts,  the  soldiers 
gave  themselves  up  to  plunder.  An  officer  high 
in  rank  was  seen  to  protect  the  palace  at  Potsda'^a, 
and  would  suffer  nothing  to  be  touched ;  but  asked 
as  a  favour  to  be  allowed  to  take  a  small  picture 
of  Frederick,  and  one  of  his  flutes,  that  he  might 
preserve  them  as  memorials  of  so  great  a  warrior 
and  king.  This  officer  was  Prince  Esterhazy,  a 
relative,  as  I  learned,  of  our  accomplished  host. 

Although  no  political  relations  existed  between 
the  United  States  and  Austria,  I  received  from 
this  her  ambassador  in  London,  invariable  marks 
of  esteem  during  my  residence. 


April  3.     Dined  at  Earl  Bathurst's.    Earl  and 
Countess  Bathutst,  the  Duke  of  York,  the  Duke  of 


I  '■   r 


1818J 


COURT  OP  LONDON. 


189 


Gloucester,  the  Duke  of  Montrose,  Lord  Lynedoch, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Villiers,  Mrs.  Rush,  Sir  Henry  Tor- 
rens,  General  Maitland,  Mr.  Goulburn,  and  a  few 
others,  were  the  company. 

Conversation  turned  upon  the  United  States; 
their  climate,  government,  productions,  steam  boats, 
and  other  topics.  On  a  question  respecting  the 
width  of  a  river  in  one  of  the  states,  I  was  at  fault; 
on  which  one  of  the  royal  dukes  put  me  right. 
Both  of  them  spoke  of  our  Constitution.  They 
asked  how  the  Senate  and  Supreme  Court  were  mo- 
delled, not  well  perceiving  the  line  between  the 
national  and  state  authorities  in  matters  of  judica- 
ture. I  endeavoured  in  a  few  words  to  explain ; 
which  however  was  not  easily  to  be  done  in  a  few 
words ;  and  it  was  no  place  for  dissertation.  The 
colonization  society  was  spoken  of,  and  its  objects 
approved.  Lord  Bathurst  expressed  a  hope  that 
it  might  select  a  better  place  on  the  coast  of  Africa, 
than  England  had  done,  in  selecting  Sierra  L  ue; 
which  was  known  to  have  proved  unhealthy,  'in- 
quiries were  made  as  to  the  amount  of  our  slave 
population,  the  ratio  of  its  increase,  and  others 
bearing  on  this  subject.  I  answered  them  with  an 
admission  of  the  general  evil  of  slavery  in  the 
United  States;  but  added  that  there  were  great 


i  i 


1  iftd'  W'tTiOiM 


fit 


'    .1.     ''  ■*»»•* 


1*  ■■""■ 

1    '; 


-«w\ 


.     ..1 

:. ,.« 

'-•.•-Ull 

■tti*v| 


I  i 


190 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


^   ■'     • 


{• 


mitigations,  in  the  good  treatment  of  the  slaves. 
To  this  the  exceptions,  I  said,  were  rare,  and 
scarcely  known  at  all,  among  the  better  classes  of 
our  southern  planters.  The  eftect  of  good  treat- 
ment was,  to  diffuse  in  a  large  degree  content  and 
happiness  among  the  slaves.  Conciliatory  senti- 
ments towards  the  United  States  ran  throughout 
all  the  conversation. 

At  eleven,  we  left  the  table.  An  hour  passed  in 
the  drawing  rooms,  where  conversation  was  con- 
tinued. All  gave  precedence  to  the  royal  dukes ; 
whilst  from  them,  there  was  urbanity  to  all. 


I    *»■ 


April  8.  The  Princess  Elizabeth  was  married 
last  evening  to  the  Prince  of  Hesse  Romberg.  The 
royal  family,  cabinet  ministers,  foreign  ambassa- 
dors and  ministers,  officers  of  the  royal  house- 
hold, persons  in  the  suites  of  the  royal  dukes  and 
princesses,  the  archbishops  of  Canterbury  and 
York,  the  bishop  of  London,  the  lord  chancellor, 
the  lord  chief  justice,  and  a  few  others,  were  present. 
The  Prince  Regent  was  not  there,  being  ill.  Our 
invitation  was  from  the  Queen,  given  through  the 
Earl  of  Winchelsea,  nearly  three  weeks  before. 

We  got  to  the  palace  at  seven  o'clock.  Pages 
were  on  the  stairs  to  conduct  us  to  the  rooms. 


1818.] 


CX)URT    OF    LONDON, 


191 


The  ceremony  took  plac^  in  the  throne  room.  Be- 
fore the  throne  was  an  altar  covered  with  crimson 
velvet,  on  which  was  a  profusion  of  golden  plate. 
There  was  a  salver  of  great  size,  on  which  was  re- 
presented the  Lord's  Supper.  The  company  being 
assembled,  the  bridegroom  entered  with  his  attend- 
ants. Then  came  the  Queen,  on  the  arm  of  the 
Duke  of  York,  with  the  bride  and  royal  family. 
All  approached  the  altar.  Her  majesty  sat;  the 
rest  stood.  The  marriage  service  was  read  by  the 
Archbishop  of  Canterbury.  The  Duke  of  York 
gave  the  bride  away.  The  whole  was  according 
to  the  forms  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  per- 
formed with  great  solemnity.  A  record  of  the 
marriage  was  made.  When  all  was  finished  the 
bride  knelt  before  the  Queen  to  receive  her  blessing. 

The  consent  of  the  king  (or  regent)  and  privy 
council,  is  necessary  to  the  validity  of  a  royal  mar- 
riage in  England.  There  is  another  mode,  where 
the  party  intending  to  marry,  and  being  of  the  male 
branch,  is  of  the  age  of  twenty-six.  In  such  case, 
a  record  of  the  intention  on  the  books  of  the  privy 
council  will  authorise  the  marriage  at  the  expira- 
tion of  a  twelvemonth,  unless  parliament  interpose 
an  objection. 

Soon  after  the  service  was  performed,  the  bride 


I! 

11       .'■ 


41 


li 


192 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


^^^y 


and  bridegroom  set  off  for  Windsor,  the  rest  of 
the  company  remaining.  The  evening  passed  in 
high  ceremony,  without  excluding  social  ease. 
From  the  members  of  the  royal  family,  the  guests 
had  every  measure  of  courtesy ;  but  the  whole  de- 
meanour of  the  Queen  was  remarkable.  This  ven- 
erable personage,  the  head  of  a  large  family,  her 
children  at  that  moment  clustering  about  her ;  the 
female  head  of  a  great  empire — in  the  seventy-sixth 
year  of  her  age — went  the  rounds  of  the  company, 
speaking  to  all;  no  one  did  she  omit.  There  was 
a  kindliness  in  her  manner,  from  which  time  had 
struck  away  useless  forms.  Around  her  neck 
hung  a  miniature  portrait  of  the  king.  He  was 
absent — scathed  by  the  hand  of  heaven ;  a  mar- 
riage going  on  in  one  of  his  palaces — he,  the  lonely, 
suffering  tenant  of  another.  But  the  portrait  was 
a  token  superior  to  a  crown !  It  bespoke  the  na- 
tural glory  of  wife  and  mother,  eclipsing  the  artifi- 
cial glory  of  Queen.  For  more  than  fifty  years 
this  royal  pair  had  lived  together  in  affection.  The 
scene  would  have  been  one  of  interest  in  any  class 
of  life.     May  it  not  be  noticed  on  a  throne  ? 

Tea  was  handed.  The  Queen  continued  to  stand 
or  move  about  the  rooms.  In  one  was  a  table  of 
refreshments.     I  went  to  it  with  Major  General 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


193 


Sir  Henry  Torrens,  an  officer  distinguished  by 
service  and  wounds,  whose  acquaintance  I  had 
made  at  Lord  Bathurst's.  He  was  of  the  esta- 
blishment of  the  Duke  of  York.  On  the  table 
were  urns  and  tea-kettles  of  fretted  gold.  Sir 
Henry  recommended  me  to  a  glass  of  what  I  sup- 
posed wine,  in  a  flagon  near  me ;  but  he  called  it 
king's  cup^  given  only  at  royal  weddings. 

Returning  to  the  chief  rooms,  the  Princess  So- 
phia Matilda  pointed  out  to  Mrs.  Rush  and  myself, 
the  paintings;  also  the  representation  of  a  bird 
from  India  formed  of  precious  stones  so  as  to  re- 
semble beautiful  plumage,  with  other  objects  of 
curiosity  or  taste  in  the  palace.  She  did  more — 
she  spoke  of  Washington.  She  paid  a  spontane- 
ous tribute  to  his  virtues.  None  but  Americans 
can  know  how  this  would  fall  upon  the  heart !  To 
hear  his  immortal  nar^e  pronounced  with  praise  in 
a  palace  of  George  HI.,  and  by  a  princess  of  his 
family,  had  a  high  and  touching  value.  Mention- 
ing .this  princess  I  add,  that  myself  and  family  after- 
wards experienced  her  obliging  civilities  in  ways 
the  remembrance  of  which  is  cherished  with  grate- 
ful pleasure. 

At  ten,  the  company  came  away,  not  however 
25 


:|.   J"'     WW*.., 

-■       ...      iiv» 

■  ±t 

i\ 


'C     ill 

h    >■  ■ 
i<  ,  . 

K  , '" 

■   *: 

■It- 


it.  "  *^ 


) 


194 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


without  receiving,  each  one,  I  beUeve,  a  piece  of 
the  wedding  cake. 


ipMT'te.' 


I' 


April  9.  Dined  at  Lord  Bagot's.  We  had  the 
Earl  of  Mount-Edgecumbe,  Lady  Emma  Edge- 
cumbe,  the  Duchess  of  Leeds,  the  Countess  of 
Dartmouth,  Mr.  Disbrow,  vice-chamberlain  to  the 
Queen,  the  Bishop  of  Oxford,  and  several  members 
of  parliament.  The  conversation  had  frequent 
allusions  to  the  United  States,  their  public  institu- 
tions, and  private  society.  The  royal  marriage 
was  talked  of.  Lord  Mount-Edgecumbe,  who  had 
been  much  an  inmate  of  the  palace,  told  anecdotes 
of  the  Queen  illustrative  of  her  domestic  virtues. 
Another  topic  was,  the  attempt  on  the  life  of  Lord 
Palmerston,  secretary  of  war.  He  was  shot  at  and 
wounded,  going  into  his  office  at  the  Horse  Guards, 
yesterday.  The  person  who  fired  was  supposed  to 
be  deranged.  His  acquittal  was  anticipated  on 
this  ground,  as  was  the  case  with  Margaret  Nichol- 
son, and  Hadfield,  who  attempted  to  assassinate 
the  king.  Whether  the  life  of  their  kmg,  or  the 
lowest  subject  be  struck  at,  let  the  law  have  its 
course,  is  the  cry  in  England.  Their  code  is  san- 
guhiary;  but  all  rre  bound  by  it,  all  look  up  to  it. 
One  of  the  company  thought  the  law  too  lenient 


1818.] 


COURT    OP    LONDON. 


195 


upon  these  attempts  to  assassinate  kings  and  their 
ministers ;  they  recurred  too  often ;  he  would  pun- 
ish the  offender  in  the  persons  of  his  relatives,  as 
well  as  his  own  ;  as  had  been  done  with  the  Ra- 
villacs  and  Damiens  in  France.  This  opinion 
found  no  countenance;  but  was  canvassed  with 
sprightliness. 

After  dinner,  an  evening  party  followed.  We 
had  an  invitation  from  Lord  Bagot  to  visit  him  at 
his  country  estate,  Blithfield ;  and  Lord  Mount- 
Edgecumbe  invited  us  to  his,  near  Plymouth. 


^M 


'  •■■■  ^^^a::: 

ii-  i 

m 


«  *♦■' 


1  ^^,^ 
it. 


o       ■      « 

.'■■■    '■■H 
1*, 


Ii 


196 


RBSIDBNGE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


r^r 


INTERVIEW  WITH  LORD  CASTLEREAGH.  GENERAL  NEGOTI- 
ATION PROPOSED  ON  THE  WEST  INDIA  TRADE,  MARI- 
TIME QUESTIONS  AND  IMPRESSMENT.  NATURE  OF  THE 
LAST  QUESTION.  THE  SLAVE  TRADE.  OFFER  OF  BRI- 
TISH MEDIATION  IN  THE  AFFAIRS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES 
AND  SPAIN.       DINNER  AT  MR.  WILBERFORCE'S — AT  THE 

EARL    OF     HARDWICKE'S.        ALMACS — LATE     HOURS— 
COVENT  GARDEN  THEATRE. 


M 


April  11.  Had  an  interview  w^ith  Lord  Castle- 
reagh.  I  asked  it,  to  apprize  him  of  the  desire  of 
my  government  to  open  negotiations  for  a  general 
treaty  of  commerce  and  arrange  other  matters,  of 
importance  to  both  countries. 

It  was  the  wish  of  the  President,  I  said,  to  see 
the  commercial  relations  between  the  two  coun- 
tries, placed  upon  a  basis  broader  and  more  per- 
manent, than  hitherto.  The  existing  convention 
was  not  only  limited  as  to  time,  but  objects ;  the 
period  not  being  remote  when  it  would  expire,  it 


1818.] 


COURT    OP   LONDON. 


197 


was  desirable  that  the  President  should  know  the 
probable  determination  of  his  majesty's  government 
as  to  forming  one  of  a  different  character:  one 
which,  if  not  comprehending  all  the  colonies  of 
Great  Britain,  should  at  least  include  those  in 
North  America  and  the  West  Indies.  I  was  aware 
of  her  past  unwillingness  to  treat  of  this,  and  other 
subjects  I  should  name ;  but  had  been  instructed  to 
present  them  anew,  in  the  hope  of  other  views 
prevailing.  In  this  event,  I  was  furnished  with  a 
full  power  to  negotiate  a  treaty  of  the  nature  indi- 
cated. 

His  lordship  was  candid  in  reply.  He  said,  that 
he  could  hold  out  no  encouragement  towards  a 
treaty  so  comprehensive ;  too  many  interests  hung 
upon  their  colonial  dominion  in  the  quarter  men- 
tioned ;  it  would  operate  like  a  revolution  in  their 
commercial  system;  but  I  might  be  assured,  that 
the  determination  of  Great  Britain  not  to  bring  the 
trade  of  those  islands  and  colonies  under  such,  or 
any  arrangements  by  treaty,  arose  from  no  un- 
friendly feeling.  It  \  as  only  continuing  a  policy 
long  established;  hence,  no  complaints  would  be 
made  if  the  United  States  adopted  countervailing 
measures;  more  especially  if,  not  being  vindictive, 
they  were  merely  based  upon  fair  competition.     I 


,  ]'*    ■*■■■  ai  Mm 
■    t* 

-     •    ■  ■      f> 


I 


^1 


■  *•    .•iw* 


■  -  n 

i .  — 


\  ' 


^ 


198 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


)  ' 


replied,  that  the  latter  was  the  spirit  alone,  in  which 
they  would  be  resorted  to;  that  as  Great  Britain 
guarded  her  commercial  interests  very  scrupulously, 
and  in  connexion  with  them,  those  of  her  tonnage, 
the  United  States  must  do  the  same. 

This  subject  being  for  the  present  disposed  of, 
I  passed  to  others.  A  time  of  general  peace,  as 
lately  intimated  by  his  lordship,  seemed,  I  said,  the 
proper  time  for  settling  points  which,  although  of 
no  immediate  importance,  were  highly  so  in  the 
future.  The  President  was  therefore  desirous  to 
take  advantage  of  it,  in  the  hope  of  being  able  to 
arrange  the  most  important  of  this  description; 
such  as,  trade  with  the  colonies  of  enemies  during 
war;  the  trade  between  colonies  and  the  parent 
country;  that  from  port  to  port  of  an  enemy;  the 
list  of  articles  contraband ;  the  doctrine  of  block- 
ade, and  the  question  of  impressment.  Past  expe- 
rience had  shown  the  tendency  of  conflicting  opin- 
ions on  these  points,  to  embroil  neutrals  and 
belligerents;  it  had  been  unhappily  too  much  the 
case  as  between  Great  Britain  and  the  United 
States;  the  season  when  both  parties  were  free 
from  the  excitements  of  momentary  feeling  or  in- 
terest, was   auspicious  to  attempts  for  adjusting 


1818. 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


199 


led  of, 
ce,  as 
id,  the 
ugh  of 
in  the 
:ous  to 
able  to 
iption ; 
during 
parent 
ly;  the 
block- 
It  expe- 
opin- 
[Is  and 
ch  the 
lUnitcd 
•e  free 
or  in- 
lusting 


them  amicably,  and  I  was  empowered  to  enter  into 
negotiations  upon  them  all. 

His  lordship  replied  by  concurring  in  the  fitness 
of  the  time  to  the  objects  stated.  He  first  spoke  of 
blockade.  Upon  this  point  he  believed  the  two  go- 
vernments were  agreed,  and  asked  if  they  were  not  ? 
I  said  that  my  government  was  satisfied  with  the 
definition  of  blockade  adopted  by  England  in  Lord 
St.  Helen's  convention  with  Russia,  of  1801 ;  but 
that  it  was  the  President's  desire  to  have  the  point 
placed  upon  an  exact  footing,  by  compact  between 
the  two  nations.  Not  much  passed  upon  this,  and 
scarcely  any  thing  upon  other  points,  both  of  us 
agreeing,  that  even  if  there  could  be  an  understand- 
ing upon  them  all,  a  treaty  would  be  of  little  value 
that  did  not  also  comprehend  that  of  impressment. 
To  this  question  he  therefore  came,  as  of  absorbing 
importance. 

It  is  one,  prominent  in  past  negotiations  between 
the  two  governments.  I  will  therefore,  before  stat- 
ing what  was  said  on  this  first  occasion  of  its  being 
broached  under  my  mission,  offer  some  general  ac- 
count of  it.  It  may  be  understood  by  those  who 
are  not  politicians,  and  its  peculiarity  may  perhaps 
unpart  to  it  in  the  eyes  of  such,  some  share  of  in- 
terest.   To  many  of  the  rising  generation  it  is  also 


^   li! 


'■■•:-.    «,« 

■  f  ...  Mt 

41 


.ft>i" 


*** 


jfla 


200 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


i  I 


* 


I  •! 


in  a  great  measure  new,  and  to  be  learned  only 
through  numerous  and  detached  state  papers,  not 
always  at  command,  but  in  the  libraries  of  public 
men. 

Great  Britain,  as  a  measure  of  state  policy,  im- 
presses her  seamen  to  serve  on  board  her  ships  of 
war;  in  other  words,  takes  them  by  force.  The 
practice  is  one  with  which  other  nations  have  no- 
thing to  do,  as  long  as  it  is  confined  to  British  sea- 
men, the  British  dominions,  or  the  decks  of  British 
vessels  upon  the  seas.  It  may  seem  at  variance 
with  the  high  standard  of  personal  rights  upon 
which  her  laws  are  founded  in  other  respects ;  but 
that  consideration  is  wholly  for  herself. 

But  she  claims  the  right  of  searching  the  vessels 
of  other  nations  upon  the  high  seas,  for  her  sea- 
men ;  and  here  begins  the  cause  of  complaint.  For, 
how  can  the  claim  ever  be  enforced  consistently 
with  what  is  due  toother  nations? 

Let  the  steps  by  which  the  enforcement  proceeds, 
be  attended  to.  A  British  frigate  in  time  of  war 
meets  an  American  merchant  vessel  at  sea,  boards 
her,  and,  under  terror  of  her  guns,  takes  out  one  of 
the  crew.  The  boarding  lieutenant  asserts,  and 
let  it  be  admitted,  believes,  the  man  to  be  a  Briton. 
By  this  proceeding,  the  rules  observed  in  deciding 


« 


L818. 

only 
s,  not 
public 

y,  im- 
lips  of 
The 
ve  no- 
sh sea- 
British 
iriance 
ts  upon 
ts;  but 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


201 


upon  any  other  fact  where  individual  or  national 
rights  are  at  stake,  arc  overlooked.  The  lieuten- 
ant is  accuser  and  judge.  He  decides  upon  his  own 
view,  instantly.  The  impressed  man  is  forced  into 
the  frigate's  boat,  and  the  case  ends.  There  is 
no  appeal,  no  trial  of  any  kind ;  more  important 
still,  there  is  no  remedy,  should  it  appear  that  a 
wrong  has  been  committed. 

Far  different  is  the  mode  of  proceeding  if  an 
American  merchant  vessel  be  stopped  and  examin- 
ed at  sea  under  circumstances  subjecting  her  to 
suspicion  as  prize  of  war.     In  the  latter  case,  the 
boarding  officer  sends  the  vessel  into  port  under 
accusation.     Facts  arc  inquired  into  judicially,  and 
both  parties  heard.     Both  have  ample  opportunity 
of  bringing  forward  proofs.    Should  the  tribunal 
decide  that  no  lawful  cause  of  seizure  existed,  the 
vessel  is  restored,  the  captors  are  answerable  in 
damages,  and  there  are  adequate  modes  of  making 
them  pay.     If,  on  the  other  hand,  the  man  seized 
be  in  fact  no  Briton,  the  most  that  he  can  ever 
hope  for  is,  merely  to  be  released.    This  can  only 
take  place  after  he  has  been  kept  an  indefinite 
length  of  time  on  board  the  frigate,  put  to  duty, 
and  perhaps  made  to  fight.    He  may  be  slain  in 
battle.    If  this  fate  does  not  await  him,  his  subse- 
26 


1 

*'■  ^ 


^HT 


202 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


^ 


•II 

''rl 
■»i 

i' 
s. 


qucnt  liberation,  from  the  nature  of  the  case,  can 
only  be  effected  at  a  distant  day,  and  is  not  cer- 
tain at  last.  He  may  not  be  able  whilst  on  board 
the  frigate,  to  obtain  documents  to  show  that  he 
is  not  a  Briton.  He  may  be  transferred  to  some 
other  vessel  of  war.  Even  to  trace  him,  through  a 
navy  of  vast  size  and  scattered  over  all  seas,  must 
become  to  his  country  or  friends  a  difficult,  often  a 
hopeless  task.  Should  the  chances,  multiplied  as 
they  are  against  him,  all  turn  out  in  his  favour, 
and  the  order  for  his  discharge  be  finally  obtain- 
ed, where  is  his  action  for  damages?  where  his 
remedy  for  loss  of  liberty?  for  an  outrage,  so 
terrible,  upon  all  his  feelings  and  rights  ?  He  has 
none. 

A  claim  so  ex  parte  in  the  whole  enforcement, 
so  intrinsically  open  to  error,  and  the  error  if  com- 
mitted so  fatal,  cannot,  it  should  seem,  rest  upon 
public  law.  The  United  States  say  that  it  does 
not.  They  have  never  denied  to  Great  Britain  the 
right  of  search.  They  allege  however  that  this 
means  search  for  enemy's  property,  or  articles  con- 
traband of  war,  not  search  for  me?u  They  say  that 
no  public  code  or  other  adequate  authority,  has 
ever  established  the  latter  as  an  international  right. 
If  its  exercise  by  any  other  state  than  Great  Britain 


1818.]    '  '     COURT  OF  LONDON.  203 

cpr.  be  shown,  the  instances  are  averred  to  be  too 
few,  and  too  devoid  of  the  evidences  of  general 
consent,  to  have  made  it  part  of  the  law  of  nations. 
Troops  indeed,  or  men  in  the  mihtary  service  of 
the  enemy,  may  be  taken  out  of  a  neutral  vessel  at 
sea ;  but  this  is  wholly  different  from  impressing 
seamen. 

Great  Britain  places  her  claim  on  the  ground  of 
natural  allegiance.  She  alleges,  that,  by  a  princi- 
ple of  uni^'  ^rsal  law,  a  man  owes  this  kind  of  alle- 
giance to  the  country  of  his  birth ;  that  he  never 
can  shake  it  off;  that  as  his  country  protects  him, 
so  it  may  demand  his  services  in  return ;  especially 
in  time  of  war. 

The  United  States  reply,  that  the  principle  of 
natural  allegiance,  however  cherished  by  some 
states,  is  not  universal.  Sir  William  Blackstone 
in  his  commentaries,  so  able  and  masterly  for  the 
most  part,  lays  it  down  as  universal ;  but  he  refers 
for  support,  only  to  the  writers  of  England.  Puf- 
fendorf  holds  that  allegiance  may  be  put  off;  so 
do  Grotius  and  Bynkershoek.  If  we  choose  to  go 
as  far  back  as  the  Justinian  code,  we  shall  there 
find  the  same  doctrine.  The  principle  of  perpetual 
allegiance  may  be  held  sacred  by  Britain ;  it  may 
be  of  the  highest  practical  importance  under  her 


>;-  1 


'jinjj- 


I*      -K.it     ji^ 

■  '.11^ 


4  I 


■,:.v:          ^ 

1 

1     ,.           . 

tf 

>           JiT 

...a.' 

204 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


i     :_* 


own  system ;  but  the  United  States  say,  that  its 
operation  should  be  confined  to  her  own  territorial 
dominions,  and  decks  of  her  own  merchant  vessels. 
There  is  scarcely  an  important  principle  of  public 
law  that  has  not,  at  one  time  or  other,  had  place  in 
treaties  among  European  states,  the  better  to  de- 
fine or  regulate  it.  This  is  especially  the  case 
with  principles  that  belong  to  maritime  affairs. 
Would  a  right  of  such  concern  to  all  nations  using 
the  sea,  as  that  of  a  sovereign  to  enforce  the  alle- 
giance of  his  own  subjects  in  neutral  vessels  on  its 
broad  highway,  have  altogether  escaped  notice  in 
these  solemn  instruments  between  states  ?  Yet  it  is 
believed  that  no  treaty  contains  any  tiling  in  rela- 
tion to  it. 

The  United  States  have  I  n  exposed  to  griev- 
ances from  the  exercise  of  this  claim  by  Britain, 
heavier  perhaps  than  ever  fell  to  the  lot  of  an  inde- 
pendent nation.  It  springs  from  a  cause  rooted  in 
nature,  and  irreversible ;  the  resemblance  of  their 
seamen  to  those  of  England.  Their  language, 
dress,  sea-phrases,  every  thing,  are  alike.  To  dis- 
criminate, is  in  most  cases  impossible.  Of  this, 
the  proof  is  incontestible,  and  here  follows. 

Britain  disavows,  unequivocally,  aU  claim  to  im- 
press from  American  ships,  any  other  seamen  than 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


205 


her  own.  Her  sense  of  justice  would  not  allow 
her  to  set  up  any  pretence  of  claim  to  take  Ameri- 
cans ;  yet  these  she  unavoidably  does  take,  and  in 
numbers  sufficient  to  surprise  those  not  informed 
upon  the  subject. 

From  a  report  made  to  congress  by  the  secretary 
of  state  in  April  1816,  it  appeared,  that  the  im- 
pressed American  seamen  on  board  of  British 
armed  ships  at  the  commencement  of  the  war  of 
1812,  a  war  occasioned  chiefly  by  this  cause, 
amounted  to  one  thousand  four  hundred  and 
twenty-two.  Here  is  no  exaggeration.  The  fact 
comes  from  the  archives  of  Britain.  It  is  taken 
from  oflicial  hsts,  furnished  by  functionaries  of  the 
British  government  to  the  American  agent  for 
prisoners  of  war  in  London.  These  men  had  been 
transferred  from  English  ships  to  English  prisons, 
on  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  or  during  its  pro- 
gress. 

Furthermore.  Britain,  at  a  former  period,  libe- 
rated one  thousand  one  hmidred  and  thirty-two 
Americans  who  had  been  impressed  prior  to  the 
month  of  September,  1801.  This  fact  also  rests 
upon  the  authority  of  British  archives,  and  was 
included  in  the  same  report  to  Congress.  On  the 
impressment  of  all  these  Americans,  the  British 


I*     «.. *    .Hat 


?'n 


"■-HI 


1 


206 


RESIDENCE     AT    THE 


[1818. 


14 


I 


boarding  officers  must  have  believed  they  were 
taking  their  own  subjects;  else  they  took  them 
knowing  them  to  be  Americans.  Hence  the  dif- 
ficulty not  to  be  surmounted,  of  distinguishing 
American  from  British  seamen. 

What  then  do  we  learn  ?  more  than  two  thou- 
sand FIVE  HUNDRED  AMERICAN  CITIZENS,  COUfcSSedly, 

the  sufferers  under  this  practice !  and  this  by  no 
means  the  whole  list.  All  were  clearly  Americans. 
No  British  seaman,  naturalized  in  the  United 
States,  was  ever,  if  impressed,  given  back  again. 
Can  Britain,  whose  pride  and  spirit  have  raised  her 
to  greatness,  and  who  must  know  how  to  respect 
such  qualities  in  other  nations,  can  she  for  a  mo- 
ment, wonder,  that  a  practice  leading  to  such  con- 
sequences, should  excite  the  deepest  sensation  in 
the  United  States  ? 

She  complains,  that  she  is  aggrieved  by  the 
number  of  her  seamen  who  get  into  the  merchant 
service  of  the  United  States,  through  our  naturali- 
zation laws  and  other  causes.  This  takes  from 
her,  she  alleges,  the  right  arm  of  her  defence. 
Without  her  navy,  her  existence,  no  less  than  her 
glory,  might  be  endangered.  It  is  therefore  vital 
to  both,  that,  when  war  comes,  she  should  reclaim 


Sn^ 


1818.]  COURT    OF    LONDON.  207 

her  seamen  from  the  vessels  of  a  nation   where 
they  are  so  frequently  found. 

I  have  incidentally  remarked  in  another  place, 
that  the  naturalization  laws  of  the  United  States 
are  less  favourable  to  foreigners  than  is  generally 
supposed,  and  less  than  those  of  some  of  the  prin- 
cipal states   in  Europe.     England   has   statutes, 
unless  recently  repealed,   under  which  foreigners 
serving  only  two  years  in  her  navy,  become  natu- 
ralized ;  which  is  going  much  beyond  any  facilities 
afforded  by  the  United  States.     As  to  other  causes 
that  may   bring  her  seamen  to  their  vessels,  the 
United  States  can  only  reply,  that  they  do  not  en- 
tice  them.     Seamen   are  birds  of  passage ;  now 
seen  under  one  flag,  then  another.     Those  of  the 
United  States  sometimes  seek  voluntarily  the  ser- 
vice of  other  nations,  as  those  of  other  nations 
voluntarily  seek  theirs.     The  British  navy,  it  is 
well  known,  is  manned  by  a  large  proportion  of 
foreign  seamen.     Some    go   there  of  their  own 
accord.    The  decks  of  all  nations  show,  more  or 
less,  an  intermingling  of  the  seamen  of  all ;  but 
no  country  is  more  desirous  of  employing  their 
native   seamen  than   the   United  States.      They 
know  the  value  of  British  seamen;  nevertheless, 
they  prefer   their  own.     And  why  should   it  be 


■■■-■»»'»  »i 
_■■•..   II 


5-, 


!"■■  .:««r-^» 


■S*ll^ 


■     M 

...  •  -H« 
-H  ■■'* 

■s 


208 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


1818. 


ll        II 

f 

i 


thought  that  they  have  not  enough  of  their  own, 
as  any  other  country  whose  interests  and  pursuits 
have  long  been  maritime  ?  New  England  alone  is 
more  populous  than  were  the  Dutch  when  their 
sailors  carried  terror  to  the  shores  of  the  Medway ; 
and  she  is  as  maritime.  Her  farms  are  upon  the 
ocean,  said  one  of  her  statesmen,  and  she  gathers 
her  harvests  from  every  sea.  How  numerous  her 
sailors  were  as  long  ago  as  when  she  made  part  of 
the  British  empire,  British  statistics  of  that  day 
may  attest.  This  great  nursery,  passing  by  all 
other  districts  of  a  country  with  a  vast  sea  coast, 
is  perhaps  sufficient  to  give  to  the  United  States  as 
large  a  stock  of  seamen  as  they  require.  The 
supply,  as  in  other  fields,  meets  the  demand.  If 
ever  interrupted  by  temporary  causes,  things  soon 
return  to  this  their  natural  basis. 

The  United  States  not  only  desire  to  foster  their 
own  seamen,  but  have  gone  farther.  In  the  hope 
of  terminating  the  dissension  about  impressment, 
they  have  shown  a  willingness,  as  the  progress  of 
this  work  will  attest,  to  exclude  British  seamen 
entirely  from  their  service.  They  do  not  desire 
to  hide  the  fact  that  they  come  to  it,  often  in  large 
numbers.  It  is  a  fact  however,  which  British  re- 
cords will  also  attest,  that  the  number  of  British 


sean 
ofth 
of  A 
view 
the  ii 
benef 
woulc 
ment 
It 
ment, 
and  as 
to  dm 
theUn 
dient  a 
discipl 
his  coi 
nature 
notoric 
tries  t( 
would 
foreigi 
The 
fed  St? 
arc  sor 
not  to 
Kencr, 


1818.] 


COURT   OF    LONDON. 


209 


seamen  regained  by  impressment  out  of  the  vessels 
of  the  United  States  falls  far  behind  the  number 
of  Americans  taken  in  their  stead.  Under  this 
view  alone  of  the  practice,  apart  from  all  others, 
the  injury  to  the  United  States  is  greater  than  the 
benefit  to  Britain;  though  what  American  but 
would  blush  at  the  bare  hinting  of  such  an  argu- 
ment ! 

It  is  not  immaterial  to  remark,  that  impress- 
ment, as  a  measure  merely  under  the  English  laws, 
and  as  exercised  only  in  England,  has  a  tendency 
to  drive  her  seamen  into  the  merchant  service  of 
the  United  States  on  the  breaking  out  of  war.  Obe- 
dient as  the  impressed  British  seamen  may  be  to 
discipline,  when  once  on  board  a  man  of  war  of 
his  country,  and  brave  in  battle,  it  is  not  in  human 
nature  that  he  should  like  to  be  impressed.  It  is 
notorious  that  he  does  not.  He  dreads  it;  he 
tries  to  hide  from  the  press-gang.  His  bold  spirit 
would  resist  if  he  could  ;  and  sometimes  he  seeks 
foreign  decks  to  get  out  of  the  way. 

There  is  another  heavy  evil  resulting  to  the  Uni- 
ted States.  The  voyages  of  their  merchant  vessels 
are  sometimes  broken  up  by  impressmont ;  for  it  is 
not  to  be  supposed  that  they  carry  t'Xtra  hands. 
Hence,  when  men  are  tnken  out    ol    their  ve.>^srls 


11 


In 
♦i  t 


T, 


210 


RESIDENCE  AT  THE 


[1818. 


*    < 


:{: 


■I.,, 


t      ? 


upon  the  high  seas,  it  may  happen,  and  has  hap- 
pened, that  not  enough  are  left  for  their  safe  navi- 
gation ;  and  they  have  been  compelled  to  make 
ports,  other  than  of  their  first  destination. 

The  foregoing  is  an  outline  of  the  question,  in 
its  main  features.  It  may  serve  to  give  some  idea 
of  the  manner  in  w^hich  it  operates  upon  the  United 
States.  As  between  the  two  nations,  it  is  a  ques- 
tion sui  genris.  To  both,  it  is  of  the  last  import- 
ance. The  diplomatic  history  of  the  United  States 
will  show  how  repeated  and  earnest  have  been 
their  endeavours  to  settle  it.  The  joint  mission 
to  London  in  1806,  when  Mr.  Monroe  and  Mr. 
Pinkney  were  our  negotiators,  could  effect  nothing 
on  this  point;  and  Mr.  King's  effort  in  1803,  suc- 
cessful in  all  other  respects,  was  at  last  frustrated 
by  Great  Britain  insisting  on  reserving  her  right  to 
impress  within  the  narrow  seas.  To  this  doctrine 
of  the  mare  clausum  of  her  Selden,  in  opposition  to 
the  mare  liberum  of  Grotius,  the  United  States 
were  not  prepared  to  assent.  They  never  can 
assent  to  it. 

I  return  to  my  interview  with  Lord  Castlereagh. 
He  remarked  that  intrinsic  as  were  the  difficul- 
ties respecting  impressment,  his  desire  was  sincere 
to  see  them  removed ;  and  his  efforts  to  remove 


818. 

hap- 
navi- 
make 

)n,  in 
5  idea 
Inited 
ques- 
nport- 
States 
!  been 
lission 
id  Mr. 
othing 
3,  suc- 
strated 
ight  to 
octrine 
ion  to 
States 
er  can 

jreagh. 
lifficul- 
sincere 
emove 


1818.] 


COURT  OP  LONDON. 


211 


them,  would  be  given  with  earnestness.  I  assured 
him,  that,  under  all  my  instructions,  my  efforts 
would  be  equally  sincere  and  earnest.  The  con- 
versation proceeded.  We  adverted  to  the  princi- 
ples maintained  by  our  respective  countries.  He 
said,  that  the  abuse  of  the  practice,  for  he  freely 
admitted  its  abuse,  had  been  the  result  of  the  pecu- 
liar state  of  the  world,  all  Europe  having  been  at 
war,  and  America  neutral.  He  did  not  believe 
that  the  desire  to  enforce  their  right  to  the  same 
extent,  would  exist  in  future;  or  that  it  would  be 
drawn  into  exercise  at  all,  if  means  could  be  de- 
vised to  keep  their  men  out  of  our  vessels.  I  said, 
that  the  question  never  could  be  put  to  rest  as  long 
as  a  British  naval  officer  was  allowed  to  muster  an 
American  crew  upon  an  American  deck,  to  look 
for  British  seamen.  Besides  the  indignity  of  this, 
so  felt  by  all  America,  the  inevitable  consequences 
to  which  it  must  lead  of  subjecting  Americans  to 
seizure  instead  of  Britons,  would  preclude  for  ever 
all  hope  of  adjustment.  The  best  mode  we  could 
devise  of  keeping  British  officers  from  our  vessels 
on  such  errands,  was  that  which  he  had  hinted  at; 
namely,  to  keep  British  seamen  away  altogether. 
This  we  were  desirous  to  do,  as  far  as  in  our 
power.     I  promised  toftirnish  him  with  a  proposal 


•■ws. 


vk! 


■■juJWKiIiIi  ■* 


212 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


4. 


t) 


to  this  effect ;  and  he,  that  it  should  have  a  Uberal 
consideration. 

His  lordship  next  spoke  of  the  slave  trade.  The 
government  of  Great  Britain  felt,  he  said,  an  increas- 
ing desire,  that  the  government  of  the  United 
States  should  lend  itself  to  the  measures  of  regula- 
tion going  forward  in  Europe,  for  its  extirpation. 
These  were,  mainly,  a  reciprocal  submission  to  the 
right  of  search  for  slaves;  and  a  limited  number  of 
the  armed  vessels  of  each  of  the  maritime  states, 
to  be  empowered  to  search.  It  was  contemplated 
to  form  out  of  an  association  of  these,  a  species  of 
naval  and  international  police  in  the  African  seas, 
from  which  the  best  effects  were  anticipated.  No 
unusual  structure  or  appearances  in  the  vessels 
searched ;  no  presence  of  irons  or  other  presump- 
tions of  guilty  intention;  nothing  but  the  actual 
finding  of  slaves  on  board,  was  to  authorize  a  sei- 
zure and  detention.  Great  Britain  had  lately  urged 
France  on  this  subject;  but  her  consent  could  not, 
for  obvious  reasons,  be  made  known,  until  the  mili- 
tary occupation  of  her  territory  ceased.  A  recent 
vote,  however,  in  both  her  chambers,  on  the  prin- 
ciple of  abolition,  his  lordship  added,  might  safely 
be  taken  as  a  pledge  of  future  co-operation.  I  re- 
plied, that  I  was  destitute  of  instructions  on  the 


1818.]  COURT  OF  LONDON.  213 

subject,  but  would  inform  my  government  of  all  that 
he  said;  adding  that  the  United  States  had  long 
been  awake  to  the  evils  of  the  slave  trade;  that 
they  had  been  the  first  nation  to  abolish  it,  (unless 
Denmark  had  led  the  way)  and  had  directed  against 
it  the  penalties  of  their  own  laws. 

Before  we  separated,  his  lordship  spoke  of  the 
late  offer  of  Britain,  through  her  minister  at  Wash- 
ington, to  mediate  in  our  affairs  with  Spain.  Al- 
though the  offer  had  been  refused,  he  desired  to 
assure  me,  that  the  refusal  was  taken  in  no  un- 
friendly part;  the  less,  from  its  conciliatory  man- 
ner. Britain  had  in  like  manner  refused  the  media- 
tion of  Russia,  offered  during  the  late  war  with 
the  United  States,  without  any  unfriendly  feeling 
towards  Russia,  or  any  question  of  her  impartial 
dispositions.  He  was  about  to  say  something 
further  on  the  affairs  of  Spain,  but  the  hour  being 
late,  deferred  it. 

April  12.  After  my  interview  with  Lord  Cas- 
tlereagh  yesterday,  I  dined  at  Mr.  Wilberforce's. 
Of  the  company,  were  Lord  Teignmouth,  Lord 
Rocksavagc.  Lord  Gambier,  Mr.  Babbuigton  of  the 
House  of  Commons,  Mr.  Ncal,  with  others,  ladies 
as  well  as  gentlemen. 


-.m"; 


1 


■^ 

V"- 


*  * 


214 


RESIDENCE    AT   THE 


[1818. 


4- 

'Bl 

»!• 
ti 


^'-^f- 


il  I 


Many  inquiries  were  made  about  the  United 
States;  their  commerce,  revenue,  population,  Htera- 
ture,  and  state  of  rehgion.  A  friendly  spirit  char- 
acterized the  inquiries  and  remarks.  Mr.  Wilber- 
force's  fame  as  a  philanthropist  and  Christian,  had 
been  known  to  me.  His  parliamentary  labours 
and  those  of  his  pen,  had  probably  been  more  dif- 
fused over  the  United  States  than  any  other 
country  out  of  England.  I  expected  to  find  him 
grave;  on  the  contrary,  he  was  full  of  animation. 
He  led,  without  engrossing,  the  conversation.  His 
manner  gave  point  "to  all  that  he  said,  and  in  his 
voice  there  were  peculiarly  eloquent  intonations. 
He  spoke  of  Mr.  Pitt,  with  whom  he  had  been  at 
school.  He  was  remarkable,  he  said,  for  excelling 
in  mathematics;  there  was  also  this  peculiarity  in 
his  constitution,  that  he  required  a  great  deal  of 
sleep,  seldom  being  able  to  do  with  less  than  ten 
or  eleven  hours;  he  would  often  drop  asleep  in 
the  House  of  Commons ;  once  he  had  known  him 
do  so  at  seven  in  the  evening,  and  sleep  until  day- 
light. The  ease  with  which  some  persons  wrote, 
and  the  labour  that  composition  cost  others,  were 
spoken  of.  Burke,  Pitt,  Windham,  and  Lord  El- 
lenborough,  were  all  great  blotters,  he  said ;  Burke 
had  begun  a  history  of  England,  but  rdx^:  it  over; 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


215 


what  a  mine  of  reflection  it  would  have  contained, 
he  added ;  Windham's  powers  of  conversation,  ex- 
ceeded, he  thought,  those  of  Fox,  Pitt,  and  all  his 
contemporaries ;  he  even  went  beyond  Sheridan  in 
wit.  One  of  the  company  mentioned  the  name  of 
a  gentleman  who  had  large  possessions  in  the  West 
Indies ;  there  is,  said  Mr.  Wilberforce,  in  gram- 
mar, what  they  call  a  disjunctive  conjunction ;  so 
there  is  in  society ;  it  is  thus  with  that  gentleman 
and  me,  he  is  so  great  a  slave  holder ;  but  we  do 
very  well  when  we  meet;  we  pass  by  topics  upon 
which  we  should  not  agree,  and  exchange  the  small 
shot  of  conversation.  The  income  tax  being  men- 
tioned, he  remarked,  that  having  borne  it  once, 
they  could  bear  it  again ;  it  yielded  fifteen  millions 
a  year,  which  would  be  good  for  a  new  loan  of 
three  hundred  millions. 

These  things  all  flowed  from  him  very  happily. 
Lord  Teignmouth  and  others,  made  their  contri- 
butions. We  were  invited  and  arrived  at  an  early 
hour ;  but  it  was  midnight  when  we  got  home,  so 
agreeably  had  the  time  passed.  Most  of  the  com- 
pany were  public  professors  of  religion,  always  the 
more  attractive,  when  in  alliance,  as  on  this  occa- 
sion, with  genius  and  accomplishments. 


■>k  ill     ^ii  Jin 


,.9 

-  ■  * 


..-4»-- 


iii*i;5 , 


> 


B- 

$1 

jir 

..^^ 

216 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


i 


April  13.  Dined  at  the  Earl  of  Hardwicke's. 
Lord  Somers  was  of  the  party.  Enghsh  historical 
names  as  met  in  daily  society,  vividly  arrest  the 
attention  of  Americans;  more,  it  may  be  supposed, 
than  that  of  any  other  foreigners.  On  this  occa- 
sion I  could  not  forget  that  I  was  with  names  of 
renown  in  the  law;  Lord  Hardwicke  being  the 
grandson  of  the  lord  chancellor  of  that  title,  and 
Lord  Somers  a  descendant  of  Lord  Chief  Justice 
Somers.  The  interest  was  heightened  by  portraits 
of  the  two  ancestors  hanging  in  view,  the  families 
having  intermarried.  We  had  also  Lord  and  Lady 
Caledon,  Lady  Somers,  Lady  Catharine  Halket, 
Admiral  Sir  Joseph  Yorke,  and  Mr.  Montagu. 

The  conversation  turned  upon  France.  Com- 
mendation was  freely  bestowed.  Before  coming 
to  England,  I  had  adopted  an  impression  that  the 
English  were  not  prone  to  speak  of  the  merits  of 
their  neighbours  on  the  other  side  of  the  channel; 
but  I  remark  the  contrary  in  the  circles  I  frequent. 
Another  observation  continues  to  force  itself  upon 
me;  their  taste  for  foreign  things.  Among  the 
embellishments  of  the  table  this  evening,  were  beau- 
tiful ornaments  in  silver,  obtained  from  Franco. 
Although  the  French  take  the  lead  in  many  of  the 
finer  manufactures,  I  had  supposed  that  English 


1818.] 


COURT  OP  LONDON. 


217 


plate  was  preferred,  from  the  more  copious  use  and 
manufactm'e  of  it  in  England.  Tlio.  French  use 
more  abundantly  the  sumptuous  porcelain.  The 
English  import  that,  in  all  its  variety  and  costhnesss, 
but  French  plate  it  seems  is  also  hnported.  80  it 
will  always  be  with  nations  that  are  opulent.  Tired 
even  of  their  ow  n  forms  of  superiority,  they  seek 
novelty  from  abroad. 

Sir  Joseph  Yorkc  had  been  reading  some  of  the 
official  documents  published  by  Congress  that  treat 
of  our  navy,  and  made  its  condition  the  subject  of 
complimentary  remarks. 

It  is  not  uncommon  to  hear  that,  at  entertain- 
ments, there  were  all  the  luxuries  of  the  season. 
In  this  metropolis,  the  remark  might  be  reversed ; 
I  witness  constantly  those  out  of  season;  as,  at 
this  dinner,  strawberries  and  pine  a})ples ;  recalling 
the  winter  roses  and  summer  snows  of  the  Roman 
poet;  (Bstlv(E  nivcs  hijhcrme  roscc.  We  had  also 
lokay,  that  had  been  thirty  years  in  his  lordship's 
cellar;  and,  better  than  all,  respectful  things  said 
of  our  country,  with  other  attractive  conversation. 


:&? 


«■■■«■•    a« 
'■■•*•»<■»  ^a 


*.»; 


•A:  I     ■ 


-i- 


■I 


April  10.  VV^c  were  at  vVlmacs'  last  night,  a 
place  of  public  resort  for  the  highest  circles  in  Lon- 
don, at  which  balls  arc  given.    The  younger  part 

28 


218 


RESIDENCE   AT  THE 


[1818. 


r 


<... 


of  the  company  danced;  but  they  were  not  the 
most  numerous  part.  Statesmen,  cabinet  minis- 
ters and  their  ladies,  peers,  peeresses,  foreign 
ambassadors  and  others,  were  present.  In  these 
circles,  all  ages  intermingle.  Gibbon,  writing 
to  Lord  Sheffield  from  Paris,  says,  that  Horace 
Walpole  gave  him  a  letter  to  Madame  du  Deffand, 
"  an  agreeable  young  lady  of  eighty-two^''''  who  had 
constant  suppers  at  her  house,  and  the  best  com- 
pany in  Paris.  There  may  be  seen  in  society  in 
London,  and  as  part  of  its  ornaments  too,  ladies 
whom  I  should  set  down  as  not  much  sliort  of  that 
mature  age!  It  would  be  doing  injustice  to  the 
stronger  sex,  to  suppose  that  they  retire  from  its 
scenes  sooner;  and  all  will  agree,  that  where  the 
young  never  go  into  general  society  but  by  the 
side  of  those  who  have  gone  before  them,  the  whole 
tone  of  conversation  and  manners  is  improved. 


We  got  to  Almacs'  after  having  been  at  Covent 
Garden  theatre,  to  see  Miss  O'NeiPs  Bianca.  In 
like  manner,  it  is  after  the  opera,  that  we  go  to  the 
weekly  parties  of  Lady  Castlereagh,  (her  cards  of 
invitation  specifying  that  time,)  where  are  always 
to  be  met  a  large  portion  of  the  most  distinguished 
of  the  home  and  foreign  society  in  London.  Nei- 
ther the  opera  nor  Covent  Garden  break  up  until 


1818.] 


COURT  OF    LONDON, 


2VJ 


twelve.  Parties  beginning  at  that  midnight  'lour, 
last  until  two  and  three  o'clock.  Most  ot  tliose 
who  have  been  at  them,  do  not  rise  until  towards 
noon  of  that  day.  About  two,  commences  the  roll 
of  carriages;  at  six  the  morning  ends ;  then,  scarce- 
ly sooner,  the  throngs  of  carriages,  with  gentlemen 
and  ladies  on  horseback,  disappear  from  the  streets 
and  parks,  the  hour  of  preparation  for  dinner,  being 
at  hand.  This  is  no  overdrawn  account,  but  the 
daily  routine.  It  seems  strange  that  health  can  be 
preserved  with  such  habits ;  yet  the  men  look  hale, 
the  women  blooming.  Chiefly,  they  are  of  a  class, 
numerous  beyond  all  example  in  England,  whose 
riches  leave  them  at  perfect  leisure ;  but  mixed  in 
with  them,  are  others;  men  of  affiiirs,  whose  duties 
are  arduous,  whose  fame  must  be  kept  up  by  con- 
stant intellectual  exertion — cabinet  ministers,  par- 
liamentary orators,  even  chancellors  and  vice 
chancellors.  How  these  go  through  it  all,  seems 
more  strange.  It  is  only  by  discipline  and  firm- 
ness in  the  mind  that  it  can  pass  suddenly  from  the 
distraction  of  such  habits,  to  systematic  and  labo 
rious  investigations.  This  kind  of  life,  it  should  be 
added,  does  not  continue  throughout  the  year;  it 
opens,  by  degrees,  in  February,  gets  to  its  crisis  in 
May  or  June,  and  ends  with  July. 


! 


I 


ft 
k'i,., :     : 


a  I 


220 


RESIDENCE    AT   THE 


[1818- 


C 


On  the  drop  curtain  at  Covent  Garden  are  seen 
the  flags  of  nations  with  whom  England  has  been 
at  war — France,  Spain,  and  other  countries.  They 
are  in  a  tattered  state,  and  represented  as  in  sub- 
jection to  England,  that  of  the  United  States  being 
among  them.  The  symbols  are  not  historically 
true,  for  when  were  the  United  States  subdued  by 
England  ?  and  if  they  were  true,  would  be  mis- 
placed at  such  an  exhibition.  Foreign  nations  do 
not  take  ofience  at  such  things  now-a-days,  and 
show  their  good  sense;  but  the  age  is  not  remote, 
when  their  sensibility  was  quicker.  In  the  time  of 
Charles  II.  one  of  the  reasons  given  by  England 
for  a  rupture  with  Holland  was,  that  a  picture 
of  the  burning  of  the  English  ships  at  Chathpni. 
by  the  Dutch,  was  permitted  to  be  hung  up  in 
the  town  house  at  Amsterdam.  England  has  fame 
enough,  military  and  of  all  kinds,  without  strain- 
ing in  small  ways  after  what  does  not  belong  to 
her. 


,«* 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


221 


1 


CHAPTER    XIII. 


WAGER  OP  BATTLE.       INTERVIEW    WITH    LORD  CASTLE- 

REAGH I3IPRESS3IENT COURSE    OF  CillEAT  BRITAIN 

AND  THE  UNITED    STATES    AS    BETWEEN    SPAIN    AND 

HER     COLONIES AFFAIRS      BETWEEN     THE      UNITED 

STATES  AND  SPAIN.  SAFETY  OP  DIPLOMATIC  COR- 
RESPONDENCE. THE  DRAWING  ROOM.  BIRTH  DAY 
DINNER  AT  LORD  CASTLEREAGIl's. 

April  16.  Went  to  th?  court  of  King's  Bench 
to  hear  the  arsfumcut  in  the  case  of  waixer  of 
battle.  The  parties  were  present,  and  through  the 
courtesy  of  the  judges,  I  had  a  scat  on  the  bench, 
next  to  Mr.  Justice  Bayley.  On  his  left  was  Lord 
Chief  Justice  Ellenborough,  occupying  the  seat  of 
the  Cokes,  the  Hales,  the  Mansficlds.  To  the  left 
of  Lord  Ellenborough,  ^vere  Mr.  Justice  Abbot,  and 
Mr.  Justice  Holroyd.  If  at  Lord  llardwicke's  I 
was  awake  to  the  associations  which  the  great  legal 
names  of  England  call  up,  the  feeling  could  not 


tak 


> 


,ttt 


X. 


T7' 


222 


RESIDENCE   AT   THE 


[18X8. 


C 


:[ 


M 


ir 


be  less  here.  The  room  was  extremely  full  and 
the  case  so  remarkable  as  to  have  become  a  topic 
in  society. 

By  the  ancient  law  of  England,  when  a  person 
was  murdered,  the  nearest  relation  of  the  deceased 
might  bring  what  Avas  called  an  appeal  of  death, 
against  the  party  accused  of  the  murder.  Under 
this  proceeding,  the  accuser  and  accused  fought. 
The  weapons  were  clubs.  The  battle  began  at 
sunrise,  and  was  in  presence  of  the  judges;  hy 
whom  also  all  formalities  were  arranged.  Part  of 
the  oath  was,  that  neither  combatant  would  re- 
sort to  witchcraft.  If  the  accused  was  slain,  it 
was  taken  as  proof  of  his  guilt ;  if  the  accuser, 
of  his  innocence.  If  the  former  held  out  unMl 
star-light,  that  also  attested  his  innocence.  If 
cither  yielded  whilst  able  to  fight,  it  worked  his 
cond(Mnnati(jn  and  di.-grace.  Those  who  wish  a 
full  description  of  these  curious  proceedings,  may 
seek  it  in  Sullv,  or  contiiK'utal  writc^-sof  an  earlier 
day,  as  Froisart ;  the  custom  having  [)een  imported 
into  England  by  the  Normans.  The  foregoing 
sunnnary  will  give  a  general  ich^i  of  it. 

It  was  a  mode  of  trial  for  dark  ages.  Ashfonl 
the  appellor,  had  accused  Thornton  the  aj)pellce, 
of  the  murder  of  one  of  his  relations,  and  the  latter 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


223 


desired  to  fight.  In  the  highest  tribunal  of  the 
most  enhghtened  country  in  Europe,  I  was  hsten- 
in<x  to  a  discussion  whetlier  or  not  this  mode  of 
trial  was  in  force  in  the  nint^teenth  century !  It 
was  ditlicult  to  persuade  myself  of  the  reality  of 
die  scene.  Sir  Humphry  Davy's  remark  at  the 
table  of  the  Dnnisli  minister,  was  fresh  in  my 
mind.  Mr.  Ciiitty,  a  lawyer  of  eminence,  arujued 
ajrainst  the  ri(d»t  of  battle.  Mr.  Tindall  had  ar- 
gued  on  the  other  side,  on  a  former  dny.  Fleta, 
Cracton,  the  Year-lJooks,  and  otluu*  repositories 
of  ancient  law  were  r<insack(,>d.  Abundant  abihty 
was  displayed  on  both  sides,  and  the  greatest  order 
prevailed;  even  grnvity.  Tiie  judgc^s  were  in 
their  robes.  Al)()ut  seventy  lawyers  sat  in  front 
of  tliem;  all  in  gowns  and  wigs,  list(Miing,  appa- 
rently, with  profound  attention.  Finally,  the 
judges  decided  that  trial  by  battle  z^v/.s  in  force;  for 
it  had  never,  it  seems,  been  repeauMJ. 

To  repeal  laws,  belongs  to  the  l(\gislature; 
courts  expound  and  apply  them.  Free  govern- 
ment is  complex,  and  works  slowly;  tyranny  is 
simple,  and  does  its  work  at  onc(\  An  absurd 
law  may  sleep  in  a  free  code,  because  overlooked ; 
but  wliilst  tluu'e,  it  is  the  law.  It  is  so,  I  suppose, 
that  wc  must  reason,  to  account   for  the  above 


M  .1* 

!  1 

"^  1 

'\ 

I 

-., 

•»»». .% 

'Ml 

M 


I; 

( 


224  RESIDENCE    AT    THE  [1818. 

docision ;  and,  gcncmlly,  the  reasoning  would  be 
ri<dit.  Yet,  it  nii<;]it  liave  been  thouulit,  tbiit,  in  a 
case  bke  tliis,  long  disuse  added  to  obvious  absur- 
dity, would  bavc  worked  the  silent  repc  al  of  tlic 
l;iw;  according  to  the  doctrine  of  dcsududc  under 
the  Roman  code. 

In  the  end,  no  battle  was  fought.  A  technical 
flaw  interposed  to  prevent  it,  and  parlianuMit  i);issc(l 
a  r(>pealing  statute,  lint  the  case  marks  an  inci- 
dent in  I'jiglish  juris[)ru(lence,  having  come  near 
to  converting  the  court  of  King's  l?ench  into  a 
theatre  for  prize  fighting ;  a  ring  for  "  the  /(uirij,'" 
as  Sir  Humphry  Davy  intimated. 


Aprii  18.  Had  an  interview  with  T/ml  Castlc- 
rcagli.  My  obji^ct  was,  to  submit  a  i)r()posal  Ibr 
abolishing  impressment.  Its  nature  will  be  seen 
in  the  paper  subjoined.  It  is  not  my  general 
design  to  insert  copies  of  oliicial  pa[)(M*s,  meaninii 
to  contcMit  mvself,  when  they  come  into  vi(>\v,  Mitli 
making  known  ihcir  sub,<tanc(!  jtnd  results.  Hiit 
tlxM'e  may  be  exceptions,  and  llie  subject  of  ini- 
pressnuMit,  from  its  extraordinary  importance,  is 
one.  I  therefore  give  the  paj)er  iii  its  wonis,  as 
follow : 


818. 

il  be 
in  a 
bsiir- 
.f  the 
Liiider 


1818.] 


COURT  OP  LONDON. 


225 


"Great  Britain  allep^ing  a  right  to  impress  her 
seamen  out  of  American  vessels  upon  the  high 
seas,  it  follows,  that  whenever  a   mode  can   be 
devised  for  their  previous  exclusion  from  American 
vessels,  the  motive  for  the  practice  must  be  at  an 
end.     It  is  believed  that  this  may  be  effected  by 
each  nation  imposing  restraints  upon  the  naturali- 
zation of  the  seamen  of  the  other,  and  recipro- 
cally excluding  from  tiitii-  service  all  seamen  not 
iiaturalizc^d.     If  Great  Britain  be  allowed  to  natu- 
raHze  American  senmen,  the  United  States  must 
be  allowed  to  naturalize   British  seamen.     Each 
should  be  at  liberty  to  afford  the  same  facilities,  or 
bound    to   interpose   the    same    restraints.    The 
greater  the  difficulty  in  acquiring  the  right  of  citi- 
zenship, the  easier  will  it  be  to  avoid  imposition, 
and  the  more  complete  the  desired  exclusion.    The 
law  of  Congress  of  the  third  of  March,  one  thou- 
sand eight  hundred  and  thirteen,  of  all  the  provi- 
sions of  which.  Great  Britain  may  command  the 
benefit,  will  prove  how  sincerely  the  United  States 
desire  to  settle  this  controversy  on  conditions  sa- 
tisfactory to  Great   Britain.     By  that  law  it  is 
made  indispensable  for  every  British  subject  who 
may  hereafter   become   a  citizen   to  reside    five 
years  in  the  United  States  without  intermission, 
29 


•.lift 


-I 


226 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


I   I' 


t 


i.t  ' 


and  so  many  guards  are  interposed  to  prevent 
frauds,  that  it  seems  scarcely  possible  they  should 
be  eluded.  No  British  subject  can  be  employed  in 
a  public  or  private  ship  of  the  United  States  unless 
he  produce  to  the  commander  in  the  one  case,  and 
to  the  collector  of  the  port  in  the  other,  a  certified 
copy  of  the  act  by  which  he  became  naturalized. 
A  list  of  the  crew  in  the  case  of  a  private  ship,  must 
be  taken,  certified,  and  recorded  by  the  collector; 
and  the  consuls  or  commercial  agents  of  Great 
Britain  may  object  to  the  employment  of  a  seaman, 
and  have  the  privilege  of  attending  the  investiga- 
tion relative  to  his  citizenship.  The  commander 
of  a  public  ship  receiving  a  person  not  duly  quali- 
fied, is  to  forfeit  a  thousand  dollars,  and  the  com- 
mander or  owner  of  a  private  ship,  five  hundred. 
It  is  also  made  a  felony  punishable  by  fine  and  im- 
prisonment, for  any  person  to  forge  or  counterfeit, 
or  to  pass,  or  use,  any  forged  or  counterfeited  cer- 
tificate of  citizenship,  or  to  sell  or  dispose  of  one. 
The  United  States  will  also  be  willing  to  provide 
that  every  British  subject  desiring  to  become  a 
citizen,  shall  be  bound  to  appear  in  person  before 
the  proper  tribunal,  once  a  year,  for  the  term  of 
five  years,  until  his  right  shall  be  completed,  or 
adopt  any  other  more  practical  and  satisfactory 


B18. 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


227 


evidence  that  his  residence  within  their  territory 
was  bona  fide  and  uninterrupted,  it  being  their  sin- 
cere desire  to  employ  their  OAvn  seamen  only,  and 
exclude  British.     By  requiring  five  years  uninter- 
rupted residence  as  the  condition  of  citizenship,  it 
is  confidently   believed  that,  from  considerations 
readily  suggesting  themselves,  few  if  any  British 
seamen  would  be  found  to  take  advantage  of  it. 
The  nature  of  a  seaman's  life  stands  opposed  to 
any  other  conclusion.   If,  in  some  instances,  a  resi- 
dence should  be  commenced  with  a  real  intention, 
at  the  time,  of  submitting  to  this  condition,  the 
presumption  is  strong  that,  at  the  expiration  of  the 
term,  such  a  change  of  habits  and  prospects  would 
be  superinduced,  as  to  lead  to  the  abandonment 
forever  of  the  sea  as  an  occupation.     If  the  pro- 
posal be  accepted,  the  United  States  would  farther 
agree,  that  none  of  the  British  seamen  who  might 
be  within  their  territory   when  the  stipulation  to 
give  it  eflfect  was  entered  into,  without  having  al- 
ready become  citizens,  should  be  admitted  into  ei- 
ther their  public  or  private  ships,  until  they  had 
acquired  the  right,   according   to  all  the   above 
regulations.     In  return   for  them,  a  clear  nnd  dis- 
tinct provision  to  be  made  by  Great  Britain  against 
impressment  out  of  American  ves.-cls." 


.'1 

.  ..Am. 


ii 


228 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


( 


U 


'  ■  ' 


••r 

lit 


I  accompanied  the  delivery  of  the  paper  with 
renewed  assurances  to  his  lordship,  of  the  Presi- 
dent's desire  to  see  this  cause  of  dissension  forever 
removed,  and  the  expression  of  a  hope  that  Great 
Britain  would  see  in  the  proposal  no  surrender  of 
any  right  or  interest  important  to  her,  whilst  its 
acceptance  would  guard  the  United  States  against 
wrongs  that  were  palpable.  He  replied  that  he 
would  lay  the  proposal  before  the  cabinet ;  that  it 
should  have  all  the  consideration  due  to  its  import- 
ance, and,  I  might  be  assured,  in  a  conciliatory 
spirit. 

Leaving  this  subject  in  his  hands,  I  reminded 
him  of  his  intention  to  speak  on  Spanish  affairs, 
the  thread  of  which  he  now  resumed.  He  said  that 
Great  Britain  lamented  the  long  continuance  of  the 
contest  between  Spain  and  her  colonies;  she  had 
done  all  in  her  power  to  heal  it ;  nor  would  she  re- 
linquish her  efforts,  always  desiring  that  Spain 
should  pursue  a  liberal,  not  a  narrow  or  exclusive 
course ;  he  meant,  a  course  that  would  look  largely 
to  the  commercial  emancipation  of  the  colonies;  in 
particular,  she  would  not  be  instrumental  towards  a 
settlement  of  the  contest  upon  terms  which,  drawing 
to  herself  peculi;»r  advantages,  would  exclude  the 
United  States,  or  any  other  nation,  I'rom  a  just 


[1818. 

V  with 
Presi- 
forever 
t  Great 
nder  of 
[lilst  its 
against 
that  he 
;  that  it 
1  import- 
icihatory 


1818.] 


COURT    OF   LONDON. 


229 


participation  in  the  trade  of  South  America.  He 
hoped  he  might  hear  from  me,  that  t!ie  United 
States  would  be  governed  by  similar  principles. 

I  replied  tliat  they  were  the  principles  which  had 
invariably  governed  the  United  States.     They  de- 
sired, as  ardently  as  Great  Britain,  the  termination 
of  this  contest.     They  considered  it  in  the  light  of 
a  civil  war,  injurious  to  other  nations,  and,  from 
geographical  and  other  causes,  especially  injurious 
to  the  United  States.    The  latter  did  not  lend  aid 
to  either  party,  in  men,  money,  or  ships.     Spain 
made  complaints ;  but  they  were  unfounded.     The 
United  States  maintained  as  strict  a  neutrality  as 
was  possible;  they  considered  each  party  as  hav- 
ing all  the  rights  of  war  as  between  themselves ;  and 
as  against  other  powers ;  if  any  of  their  seafaring 
or  other  population  gave  illegal  aid  to  either  party, 
they  did  it  at  their  peril;  they  were  subject  to  belli- 
gerent capture  by  the  party  injured,  and  to  prosecu- 
tion under  the  laws  of  the  Unitea  States;  who,  the 
better  to  enforce  neutral  conduct  upon  their  citi- 
zens, had  special  statutes  annexing  penalties  to  a 
departure  from  it ;  if  the  colonies  finally  prevailed, 
the  United  States  not  only  did  not  seek,  but  would 
not,  by  treaties  or  other  compacts,  accept,  any  ex- 
clusive advantages;  these  they  knew  would  create 


<  T 


a*.^ 


\      . 


230 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


jealousy  in  other  nations;  and  all  therefore  that 
they  desired  was,  fair  competition.  Such  were  the 
maxims  of  the  United  States ;  they  had  been  made 
known  to  the  world,  and  there  was  no  reason  to 
think  they  would  be  departed  from. 

His  lordship  asked  if  I  knew  whether  my  govern- 
ment had  given  notice  to  Spain  of  its  intention  to 
take  possession  of  Amelia  island.  I  said  that  I  did 
not ;  nor  did  I  know  that  it  would  have  been  prac- 
ticable. That  island  had  been  taken,  not  from 
Spain,  but  those  who  had  previously  wrested  it 
from  her.  It  adjoined  territories  of  the  Union ;  an 
expedition  had  been  set  on  foot  against  it,  osten- 
sibly by  the  public  enemies  of  Spain,  viz.  some  of 
her  colonies  warring  against  her;  but,  in  fact,  by 
an  irregular  force  from  all  countries,  with  such  aid 
as  could  clandestinely  be  drawn  from  the  United 
States  in  spite  of  prohibitory  statutes.  This  force 
took  the  island,  and  the  Spanish  authorities  at  the 
Havana  strove,  but  without  success,  to  get  it  back. 
It  became  a  rendezvous  for  free-booters,  smugglers, 
renegado  slaves,  and  an  entrepot  for  fresh  slaves 
from  Africa.  To  put  a  stop  to  these,  and  other 
enormities  upon  their  border,  the  United  States  sent 
a  small  naval  and  military  force  to  take  possession 
of  the  island.    They  held  it  subject  to  a  proper  ac- 


L818. 

that 
re  the 
made 
son  to 

overn- 
tion  to 
Lt  I  did 
1  prac- 
t  from 
!sted  it 
ion ;  an 
,  osten- 
lome  of 
fact,  by 
iuch  aid 

United 
lis  force 
Is  at  the 

it  back. 

|ugglers, 
slaves 

[I  other 

tes  sent 
isession 
•per  ac- 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


231 


countabiHty  to  those  best  entitled  to  call  upon 
them,  not  doubting  that  the  world  would  see  in  the 
measure  nothing  beyond  a  necessary  precaution  for 
the  security  of  their  commerce,  and  maintaining 
the  authr  ;ity  of  their  laws.  His  lordship  assented 
to  the  strength  of  theae  motives. 

He  inquired,  lastly,  if  I  was  acquainted  with  the 
intentions  of  my  government  as  to  the  reception  of 
deputies  from  the  colonies  of  Spain. 

I  replied,  that,  up  to  the  time  of  my  leaving 
Washington,  no  representatives  of  the  colonies  had 
been  received  in  any  official  capacity.  Informal 
agents  had  arrived,  and  been  informally  listened  to. 
Spain  complained  of  this,  and  had  even  demanded 
that  the  United  States  should  exclude  from  their 
ports  the  flags  of  Mexico,  Carthagena,  Buenos 
Ayres,  and  other  provinces  in  resistance.  The 
demand  was  thought  unreasonable,  especially 
whilst  the  United  States  had,  as  they  conceived, 
long  and  just  causes  of  complaint  against  Spain. 
Some  of  these  I  recapitulated.  1.  Questions  of 
territory,  growing  out  of  the  purchase  of  Louisiana 
from  France,  by  the  United  States,  in  regard  to 
which  Spain  still  failed  to  do  them  justice.  2.  Her 
sudden  and  violent  interruption  of  the  trade  of  the 
United  States  descending  the  Mississippi,  by  cut- 


1  Fs.Jjii«» 
i'    .mat 

"M  '■*■' 
•  * » i'»  »» 


> 


-I 

IB-  f  Ij 
t  ■  W 


r 


M 


fcrfli--*' 


i 


|i 


232 


RESIDENCE  AT  THE 


[1818. 


f  ) 


Hit 


■^5 


ting  off  the  right  of  deposite  at  New  Orleans,  be- 
fore Louisiana  belonged  to  the  United  States.     3. 
Her  neglect  to  award  compensation  to  the  citizens 
of  the  United  States  for    spoliations  during   the 
wars  of  the  French  revolution,  although  a  treaty 
had  attested  their  title  to  it — a  treaty  signed  by 
her  own  Minister  at  Madrid,  but  from  which  her 
government  withheld  its  ratification.    These  things 
I  brought  into  view,  not  in  the  expectation  of  any 
opinion  upon  them  from  Lord   Castlereagh,   but 
that  the  forbearing  policy  of  the  United  States 
towards  Spain  might  be  the  better  appreciated. 
His  lordship  expressed  a  hope,  that  all  our  differ- 
ences with  that  power  might  be  satisfactorily  ac- 
commodated.   I  joined  in  the  hope,  saying,  that 
the  desire  of  my  government  not  to  disturb  the 
genera'  peace,  was  steady,  and  sincere,  and  that  it 
would  leave  nothing  undone  in  the  way  of  further 
negotiations,  earnest  as  had  been  the  past. 


I 


April  21.  Count 


called  on  me.    He  had 


requested  an  interview. 

After  a  few  introductory  words,  he  asked  if  I 

was  aware   that  the   English  government    watched 

foreign  ministers,     I    asked  how?     He   said,   by 

having  persons  in  its  service.    Watched  them  in 


L818. 

s,  be- 
3.     3. 
tizens 
g   the 
treaty 
led  by 
cb  ber 
tbings 
of  any 
rb,   but 

States 
eciated. 
r  differ- 
)rily  ac- 
:^g,  tbat 
urb  the 
d  tbat  it 

further 


1818.] 


COURT   OF   LONDON. 


233 


what  ways  ?  In  all  ways  ;  was  I  sure  of  my  ser- 
vants; did  I  lock  iq)  my  manuscripts ;  did  I  send 
my  letters  through  the  post  ojjicc?  I  said  yes,  as 
to  the  two  last;  and  as  to  my  servants,  I  hired 
them  as  others  did,  after  learning  their  characters. 
Was  I  sure  they  were  not  in  secret  pay?  Not  sure 
I  said;  did  he  know  it?  Not  positively ;  he  could 
bring  no  proof;  it  was  a  business  that  kept  proof 
out  of  sight.  Had  he  heard  anything,  I  asked? 
No,  but  he  had  been  long  in  London,  and  heard 
much  on  this  subject ;  the  government  with  an  out- 
side of  candor,  knew  how  to  loork  under  ground; 
it  thence  became  an  adept  in  intrigue  by  seeming  to 
he  open.  But  would  he  let  me  into  the  grounds 
of  his  suspicion  in  my  case ;  what  whispers  were 
there  ?  History  enlightened  us  mnch,  he  said ;  did 
not  Walpole  expend  a  million  in  secret  service  money 
— had  the  English  government  so  changed  since,  as 
to  be  above  all  similar  practices  ? 

I  replied  that  little  would  be  gained  by  watching 
me.  My  government  was  not  one  of  mystery^ 
Those  in  its  service,  had  to  act  and  write,  under 
the  responsibihty  of  publication  at  home;  their 
secrets  would  thus  come  back  to  England,  more 
fully  than  servants,  or  the  post  office,  could  detail 
them.  Nevertheless,  he  rejoined,  the  American 
30 


i.;,il 


b'TiKW  W 

1  1ft     .1 

«* 

■-\l 

t* 

■A  t-t 

» t» 

,  hs^it  * 

»> 

■    m  . 

;  n 

■y  ^     , 

M, 

''  -U  *> ' 

'■» 

•  .  ■ 

w 

'i 

ll 

t 

ai 

U  ''>" 

'  tt. 

t>  "-■  . 

"ll 

■    1 

,, 

■nn 

.. '«« 

V 

« 

..-iiit.. 

"SlltWl  .■'^j 

\H 

5'f 

::i 

234 


RESIDENCE   AT   THE 


[1818. 


■!     t 


•I  \ 


u^    If  1    -    J1 


an<?  Russian  legations  were  the  two  most  watched; 
he  believed  so,  and  desired  to  render  me  a  service 
by  putting  me  on  my  guard,  I  thanked  liim,  but 
said  I  was  slow  to  believe.  The  English  govern- 
ment had  its  faults;  but  not  of  that  kind.  Why 
not?  Because  it  was  against  the  genius  of  the 
government  and  people ;  they  publicly  debated  all 
that  they  did,  and  printed  all  that  they  said; 
twenty  folios  w  ould  scarcely  contain  the  matter  an- 
nually sent  forth  by  parliament  about  their  finances, 
trade,  foreign  relations,  army,  navy,  every  thing; 
into  their  public  offices,  any  one  might  go;  into 
their  barracks,  arsenals,  or  any  other  depot.  Their 
press  too  was  every  where  ferreting  out  every 
thing.  But  tvhat  did  all  that  prove?  Nothing,  I 
said,  if  he  had  special  facts  to  make  good  his 
suspicion;  but,  in  the  absence  of  them,  it  led 
towards  the  conclusion,  that  a  nation  so  careless 
of  concealment  in  its  own  affairs,  would  be  little 
inclined  to  bribe  the  servants  of  a  foreign  minister. 
What  then  had  Walpole  done  with  his  million 
sterling?  That  was  more  than  I  could  say;  every 
government,  however  open,  had  a  secret  fund ;  the 
government  of  the  United  States  had  one ;  some 
of  Walpole's  went  to  pay  newspapers  we  were 


'■"J^ 
'*^ 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON, 


235 


told,  which  would  be  foolish  in  these  days,  if  not 
in  his. 

I  do  not  know  that  I  changed  the  opinions  of 
my  visitant.  He  spoke  on  other  subjects  and  left 
me,  after  having  stayed  an  hour. 


April  23.  Went  to  the  drawing-room.  We 
had  the  hoops  and  plumes  as  before;  the  same 
spectacle  in  the  hall,  up-stairs,  and  going  to  the 
palace.  It  was  one  to  bear  repeating.  The  com- 
pany was  even  more  numerous;  and  it  proved, 
shall  I  add,  the  last  of  the  hoops  ? 

The  queen  was  on  a  velvet  elevation,  as  at 
the  drawing  room  in  February.  I  stood  next 
to  the  Duke  of  Snssev,  a  fpw  foot  from  her.  He 
named  to  me  those  who  passed  along.  The 
anxious  countenances  as  the  line  slowly  advanced ; 
the  variegated  and  brilliant  dresses ;  the  silence — 
increasing  as  the  moment  of  presentation  ap- 
proached ;  the  graceful  timidity  when  at  last  the 
youthful  fair  curtsied  before  the  Queen,  gave  to 
this  real  scene  whatever  imagination  might  picture. 
Close  by  me  was  the  Duke  of  Bourbon, — pale, — si- 
lent,— accustomed  to  Chantilly, — to  Versailles, — 
even  he  stood  gazing  in  admiration.  It  was  the  fine 
sensibility  of  a  Conde,  touched  by  the  female  beauty 


'"'.X  ■.■.» 


! 


;,t 


■fiR 


236 


RKSIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


*.  I- 


S^RT.t^'' 


of  England.  Pensive,  though  placid,  it  seemed, 
even  at  such  a  time,  as  if  the  remembrance  of  his 
son,  the  duke  d'Enghicn,  was  stealing  into  his 
thou'^hts.  Amouff  the  attractions  of  the  day  were, 
Lady  Elizabeth  Levison  Gowcr,  Miss  Seymour, 
Lady  Gcorgiana  Fane,  Lady  T^mily  Bathurst, — one 
of  whom  was  arrayed  in  roses  and  silver,  whilst  all 
had  the  waving  plumes.  It  was  the  first  presenta- 
tion of  all,  and  the  queen  seemed  cordially  to 
welcome  them. 

This  was  also  a  birth  day  drawing  room,  in 
honor  of  the  Prince  Regent,  whose  birth  day, 
however,  comes  in  August,  but  is  not  then  cele- 
brated. The  conjecture  ran  that  not  fewer  than 
two  thousand  por^niv.  wore  present.  Wc  got  down 
stairs  as  we  could,  through  talk,  gold  net,  those 
romantic  barricades— the  hoops — and  other  glitter- 
ing entanglements  which  beauty  threw  in  the  way. 

In  the  evening.  Lord  Castlereagh  gave  a  grand 
dinner.  lie  was  himself  unwell,  and  not  at  table. 
His  brother,  Lord  Stewart,  did  the  honors.  At 
the  foot,  were  the  l']arl  ol'  Clanwilliam  and  Mr. 
Planta;  the  former,  private  secretary  of  Lord  Cas- 
tlereagh, the  latter  under  secretary  of  state;  both 
enjoying  bis  confidence  and  esteem.  Lord  Stew- 
art gave  the  Prince  Regent  as  a  toast.    The  com- 


■I  1 


818. 

!med, 
)f  his 
o  liis 
were, 
mour, 
, — one 
lilst  all 
cscnta- 
lally  to 

oom,  in 
:h    day, 
en  cele- 
cr  than 
ot  doNvn 
t,  those 
r  jfUtter- 
he  way. 
a  grand 
|{it  tahle. 
.rs.    At 
jid  Mr. 
ird  Cas- 
Ite;  hoth 
Ird  Stew- 
lie  com- 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


237 


pany  rose  as  they  drank  it.  A  few  minutes  after- 
wards, prince  Estcrhazy  gave  Lord  Castlercagh, 
which  was  received  in  hkc  manner.  In  each  case, 
the  name  alone  was  mentioned.  Among  a  great 
variety  of  wines,  there  was  dry  champagne  non 
mousseux^  said  to  have  been  the  favourite  wine  of 
Napoleon;  also  Tokay  a  present  to  Lord  Castle- 
rcagh from  one  of  the  crowned  heads. 

*****  said  to  me  at  this  dinner,  that  he  be- 
lieved the  United  States  might  obtain  an  island  in 
the  Mediterranean,  if  desired.     I  said  that  our  in- 
terests were  not   European.     Did  loc  not  keep  a 
squadron  there,  he  asked  ?   I  replied  that  we  did ; 
only  however  to  guard  our  commerce  from  African 
pirates.     How  long  would  we  continue  that  policy  ? 
Always,  I  remarked,  rather  than  pay  tribute.    Had 
wc  no  treaty  with  Algiers  hy  which  our  commerce  was 
to  go  free,  without  trihute?    Yes;  but  the  Dey  gave 
us  to  understand,  what  might  have  been  inferred, 
tl  at  he  would  abide  by  it  no  longer  th.-m  he  could 
help  it;  he  had  signed  the  treaty  to  save  his  fleet 
from  attack  in  his  harbour;  an  enterprise  that  had 
been  resolved  upon  by  the  United  States,  prior  to 
Lord  Exmouth's  bombardment  of  his  town;  from 
that  time  we  had  kept  a  naval  forct;  in  the  iNIediter- 
ranean,  strong  enough,  as  was  believed,  to  check 


'■\i  -** 


I 


\  \. 


'A\ 


"  m 


238 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


.."1        (^, 


his.  Then^  would  not  this  policy  make  it  desirable  to 
to  have  a  station  for  our  ships,  and  for  supplies  ?  I 
replied,  that  our  squadron  readily  obtained  supplies 
from  friendly  ports,  paying  in  specie  which  it  took 
out,  or  bills  on  London;  was  not  this  safer  than  to 
run  the  risk  of  exciting  jealousy,  perhaps  of  expos- 
ing our  purpose  itself  to  frustration,  by  attempts  to 
get  footing  in  the  Mediterranean  ?  He  said  that 
he  was  under  the  belief  that  we  might  obtain  Lam- 
pedosa  in  a  manner  to  avoid  objection;  he  meant 
the  use  and  occupation  of  that  island,  Naples  re- 
taining the  sovereignty  over  it.  To  such  a  trans- 
fer he  did  not  see  that  Spain,  England,  France,  or 
any  power,  could  object.  That  might  change,  I 
said,  some  aspects  of  the  question;  still  there 
might  be  stumbling-blocks.  Here  our  conversation 
closed. 

After  we  came  out  from  dinner,  into  the  draw- 
ing, rooms.  Baron  de  Gerning,  attached  to  the  suite 
of  the  Prince  of  Hesse  Homberg,  spoke  to  me  of 
the  great  and  good  Washington.  So  he  called 
him.  The  United  States  were  far  removed,  he  said, 
from  his  part  of  Germany ;  but  virtue  was  of  all 
countries,  and  all  revered  it  in  the  illustrious  foun- 
der of  mine.  I  had  conversation  with  Admiral 
Van  der  Cappellan,  who  commanded  so  ably  the 


818. 

ble  to 

s?    1 
pplies 

took 
lan  to 
expos- 
ipts  to 
id  that 
nLam- 
;  meant 
pies  re- 
a  trans- 
:ance,  or 
Ihange,  1 

ill  there 
^rersation 

he  draw- 
the  suite 
to  me  of 
lie  called 
i,hc  said, 
as  of  all 
lous  foun- 
Admiral 
ably  the 


1818.] 


COURT   OF  LONDON. 


239 


Dutch  ships  that  fought  with  Lord  Kxmouth  at 
Algiers.  He  had  been  on  board  the  United  States 
squadron  in  the  Mediterranean,  under  Commodore 
Chauncey.  There  was,  he  said,  throughout  every 
part  of  it,  a  discipline  and  completeness  that  ex- 
cited his  admiration.  It  is  always  grateful  to 
hear  the  things  of  one's  country  so  spoken  of 
abroad. 


M,  ^v 

n 

,  J.  *■■•» 

»a 

,  Ui  ■-- 

n 

■■«-l 

•• 

1     t 

^ 

.  t  " 

n 

* 
i 

..L-*- 

m 

■*% 

>  ' 

0r- 

■a 

<«• 

«« 

'  -• 

It-M*, 

.  ■* 

,.iwfc 

-am 

--l 

"<V 

':'$ 

.■^ 

V*^ 

Jt? 

.„  fit.-- 

• 


240 


RESIDENCE    AT   THE 


[1818. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

THE  DAILY  PRESS.  ENGLISH  AND  FRENCH  PORCELAIN. 
ANNUAL  EXHIBITION  AT  THE  ROYAL  ACADEMY.  PUB- 
LIC SOCIETIES.  DINNER  AT  THE  MARQUIS  OF  LANS- 
DOWNe's.  EVENING  ENTERTAINMENT  AT  CARLTON 
HOUSE.       DINNER  AT  DR.  PINCKARD's. 


I         lit 


April  29.  A  country  is  not  to  be  understood  by 
a  few  months  residence  in  it.  So  many  compo- 
nent parts  go  to  make  up  the  grand  total,  where 
civihzation,  and  freedom,  and  power,  are  on  a  large 
scale,  that  the  judgment  gets  perplexed.  It  pauses 
for  re-examination.  It  must  be  slow  in  coming  to 
conclusions,  if  it  would  be  right.  Often  it  must 
change  them.  A  member  of  the  diplomatic  corps, 
an  enlightened  and  shrewd  observer,  said  to  me  a 
few  days  ago,  that,  at  the  end  of  his  first  year,  he 
thought  he  knew  England  very  well;  when  the 
third  year  had  gone  by,  he  began  to  have  doubts ; 
and  that  now,  after  a  still  longer  time,  his  opinions 


.818. 


rstoodby 
J  compo- 
al,  where 
)n  a  large 
It  pauses 
coming  to 
it  must 
,tic  corps, 
to  me  a 
year,  be 
iwbcn  the 
[c  doubts ; 
Is  opinions 


1818.]  COURT  OF  LONDON.  241 

were  more  unsettled  than  ever.  Some  he  had 
changed  entirely;  others  had  undergone  modifi- 
cation, and  he  knew  not  what  fate  was  before  the 
rest. 

There  was  reason  in  his  remark.     If  it  be  not 
contradictory,  I  would  say,  that  he   showed  his 
good  judgment  in  appearing  to  have  at  present  no 
judgment  at  all.     The  stranger  sees  in  England, 
prosperity  tlie  most  amazing,  with  what  seems  to 
strike  at  the  root  of  all  prosperity.     He  sees  the 
most  profuse  expenditure,  not  by  the  nobles  alone, 
but  large  classes  besides;  and  througliout  classes 
far  larger,  the  most  resolute  industry  supplying  its 
demands  and  repairing  its  waste ;  taxation  strained 
to  the  utmost,  with  an  ability  unparalleled  to  meet 
it;  pauperism  that  is  startling,  with  public  and 
private  charity  munificent  and  unfailing,  to  feed, 
clothe,  and  house  it;  the  boldest  freedom,  with  sub- 
mission to  law;    ignorance  and  crime  so  widely 
diffused  as  to  appal,  with  genius,  and  learning,  and 
virtue  to  reassure;  intestine  commotions  perpetu- 
ally predicted,  and  never  happening ;  constant  com- 
plaints of  poverty  and   suHcring,   with  constant 
increase  in  aggregate  wealth  and  power.    These 
fire  some  of  the  anomalies  which  he  sees.     How  is 
tie  then  at  once  to  pass  u[)oii  them  all  I  ho,  a  strun- 
31 


4ii;  m 

.  ij  "■    P» 
■■•1..J  »» 

>  -  -w 

\i-   « 


j.-«...  ■■■'J 


♦' 


242 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


■'f^-  H 


r,' 


'I    I 


I 


n?^K 


gcr,  when  the  foremost  of  the  natives  in  knowledge 
and  intelligence,  do  nothing  but  differ  after  study- 
ing them  a  life-time ;  when  in  every  journal,  every 
book,  every  pamphlet  that  comes  out  about  Eng- 
land politically,  he  reads  scarcely  any  thing  but 
conflicting  assertions,  conflicting  opinions,  conflict- 
ing conclusions ;  when  this  is  alike  the  case  in  their 
parliamentary  speeches — even  in  the  very  state- 
ments and  evidence  contained  in  the  elaborate 
reports  emanating  from  the  same  body. 

One  of  the  things  that  strike  me  most,  is  their 
daily  press.  I  live  north  of  Portman  square,  nearly 
three  miles  from  the  House  of  Commons.  By  nine 
in  the  morning,  the  newspapers  are  on  my  break- 
fast table,  containing  the  debate  of  the  preceding 
night.  This  is  the  case,  though  it  may  have  lasted 
until  one,  two,  or  three  in  the  morning.  There  is 
no  disappointment;  hardly  a  typographical  error. 
The  speeches  on  both  sides  are  given  with  like 
care  and  fulness;  a  mere  rule  of  justice  to  be  sure, 
without  which  the  paper  would  have  no  credit ;  but 
fit  to  be  mentioned  where  party  feeling  always 
runs  as  high  as  in  England. 

This  promptitude  is  the  result  of  what  alone 
could  produce  it;  an  unlimited  command  of  sub- 
divided labour  of  the  hand  and  mind.    The  pro- 


1818. 

/ledge 
study- 
evcry 
t  Eng- 
ng  but 
onflict- 
in  their 
f  statc- 
aborate 

,  is  their 
e,  nearly 
By  nine 
y  break- 
ircceding 
,ve  lasted 
There  is 
al  error, 
with  like 
)  bo  sure, 
■edit;  but 
always 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


243 


prietors  of  tlic  great  newspapers,  employ  as  many 
stenographers  as  tlicy  want.     One  stays  until  his 
sheet  is  full;  he  proceeds  with  it  to  the  printing 
office,  where  he  is  soon  followed  by  another  with 
his;  and  so  on,  until  the  last  arrives.     Thus  the 
debate  as  it  advances  is  in  progress  of  printing, 
and  when  finished,  is  all  in  type  but  the  last  part. 
Sometimes   it   will   occupy   twelve    and   fourteen 
broad,  closely-P 'nt       columns.     The   ,   '^prietors 
enlist  the  most  able  pens  for  editorial  articles;  and 
as  correspondents,  from  different  parts  of  Europe. 
Their  pecuniary  ability  to  do  so,  may  be  judged  of 
from- the  fact,  that  the  leading  papers  pay  to  the 
government   an   annual  tax   in   stamps,   of  from 
twenty  to  fifty  thousand  pounds  sterling.     I  have 
been  told  that  some  of  them  yield  a  profit  of  fifteen 
thousand  pounds  sterling  a  year,  after  paying  this 
tax,  and  all  expenses.  The  profits  of  "  The  Tlmcs,''^ 
arc  said  to  have  exceeded  eighteen  thousand  a 
year.    The  cost  of  a  daily  paper  to  a  regular  sub- 
scriber, is  about  ten  pounds  sterling  a  year;  but 
subdivision  comes  in  to  make  them  cheap.    They 
arc  circulated  by  agents  nt  a  penny  an  hour  in 
London.     When  a  few  days  old,  they  are  sent  to 
the  provincial  towns,  and  through  the  country,  at 
reduced  prices.    In  this  manner,  the  parliamentary 


>.  .i.sm  ftt, 

4.  ■- '" 

'■  'if 

r  ■  • 


•r     no 

"  ■■■» 


>■ 


-JSfc 


■"i.«i< I  -r 


244 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


I*' 


Wfcf 


"»■  lit 


debates  and  proceedings,  impartially  and  fully  re- 
ported, go  through  the  nation.  The  newspaper 
sheet  is  suited  to  all  this  service,  being  large,  the 
paper  substantial,  and  type  good.  Nothing  can 
exceed  the  despatch  Avith  which  the  numerous 
impressions  arc  worked  off,  the  mechanical  opera- 
tions having  reached  a  peifcction  calculated  to  as- 
tonish those  who  would  examine  them. 

What  is  done  in  the  courts  of  law,  is  dissemina- 
ted in  the  same  way.  Every  argument,  trial,  and 
decision,  of  whatever  nature,  or  before  what- 
ever court,  goes  immediately  into  the  newspapers. 
There  is  no  delay.  The  following  morning  ushers 
it  forth.  I  took  the  liberty  of  remarking  to  one  of 
the  judges,  upon  the  smallness  of  the  rooms  in 
which  the  courts  of  King's  Bench  and  Chancery 
sit,  when  the  proceedings  were  so  interesting  that 
great  numbers  of  the  public  would  like  to  hear 
them.  "  Wc  siV,"  said  he,  ''every  day  in  the  news- 
papers J*"*  IJow  much  did  that  answer  comprehend ! 
what  an  increase  of  responsibility  in  the  judge! 
I  understood,  from  a  source  not  less  high,  that  the 
newspapers  are  as  much  to  be  relied  upon,  as  the 
books  of  law  reports  in  which  the  cases  are  after- 
wards published;  that,  in  fact,  the  newspaper  re- 
port is  apt  to  be  the  best,  being  generally  the  most 


818. 

■f  re- 
paper 
e,  the 
g  can 
lerous 
opera- 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


245 


^emina- 
ial,  and 
e  what- 
^spapers. 
g  ushers 
to  one  of 
ooms  in 
Chancery 
,ting  that 
to  hear 
\ihc  news- 
iprchend! 
ic  judge! 
I,  that  the 
»n,  as  the 
arc  aftcr- 
ipaper  re- 
thc  most 


full,  as  well  as  quite  accurate.  If  not  the  latter, 
the  newspaper  giving  it  would  soon  fall  into  disre- 
pute, and  give  way  to  more  accurate  competitors. 
Hence,  he  who  keeps  his  daily  London  paper,  has, 
at  the  year's  end,  a  volume  of  the  annual  law  re- 
ports of  the  kingdom,  besides  all  other  matter ; 
and  what  variety,  what  entertainment,  what  a  fund 
of  original  discussion  and  anecdote,  does  every 
paper  contain ! 

In  the  discussions,  editorial  as  otherwise,  there 
is    a    remarkable  fearlessness.     Things    that   in 
Junius'  time   would  have  put  London  in  a  flame, 
and  things  as  well  written,  pass  almost  daily  with- 
out notice.     Neither  the  sovereign  nor  his  family 
are  Bpared.     Parliament  sets  the  example,  and  the 
newspapers  follow.    Of  this,  the  debates  on  the 
royal  marriages  in  the  course  of  the  present  month, 
give  illustrations.     There  are  countries  in  which 
the  press  is  more  free,  by  law,  than  with  the  Eng- 
lish;  for  although  they  impose  no  previous   re- 
straints, their  definition  of  libel  is  so  loose,  that  a 
jury  may  make  one  out  of  almost  any  thing ;  but 
perhaps  no  where  has  the  press,  in  point  of  fact,  so 
much  latitude. 

Every  thing  goes  into  the  newspapers.   In  other 
countries,  matter  of  a  public  nature  may  be  seen 


'  ^1* 


-  ■   ■   i» 

6*    ■ 

V:  % 


■j^f: 


24G 


RESIDENCE  AT   THE 


[1818. 


■  ^^-  i*. 


'to! 


in- 


'\:. 


,      fy 


-f 


ii^*' 


in  them  ,•  here,  in  addition,  you  see  perpetually  the 
concerns  of  mere  individuals.    Does  a  private  gen- 
tleman come  to  tovv^n,  or  take  his  departure  for 
Brighton  ?  you  hear  it  in  the  newspapers ;  does  he 
build  a  house,  or  buy  an  estate  ?  they  give  the  in- 
formaiion;  does  he  entertain  his  friends ;  you  have 
all  their  names  next  day  in  type,  with  sometimes 
also  a  list  of  the  very  dishes  and  courses;  is  the 
drapery  of  a  lady's  drawing  room  changed  from 
red  damask  and  gold  to  white  satin  and  silver  ?  the 
fact  is  publicly  announced.    So  of  a  thousand  other 
things.    The  first  burst  of  it  all  upon  Madame  de 
Stael,  led  her  to  remark,  that  the  English  seemed 
to  have  realized  the  fable  of  living  with  a  window 
in  their  bosoms.    It  may  be  thought  that  this  is 
confined  to  a  class,  who,  surrounded  by  the  allure- 
ments of  wealth,  seek  this  kind  of  publicity  to  their 
names  and  movements.    If  it  were  only  so,  the 
class  is  large,  beyond  all  parallel,  in  England;  but 
its  influence  affects  other  classes,  giving  each  in 
their  way  the  habit  of  allowing  their  personal  in- 
clinations and  objects  to  be  dealt  with  in  print ;  so 
that,  altogether,  these  are  thrown  upon  the  public 
to  an  extent  without  example  in  any  other  country, 
ancient  or  modern.     When  the  drama  at  Athens 
took  cognizance  of  private  life,  what  was  said  be- 


•^^0- 


L818. 


1S18.] 


COURT    OP    LONDON. 


247 


ly  the 
3  gen- 
re for 
3es  he 
;he  in- 
a  have 
Lctimes 

is  the 
d  from 
erUhe 
id  other 
lame  de 

seemed 
window 
t  this  is 
e  allure- 

•  to  their 

•  so,  the 
md;  but 

each  in 
ional  in- 
)rint;  so 
public 

country, 
[t  Athens 

said  be- 


came known  first  to  a  few  listeners;  then  to  a 
small  town;  but  in  three  days,  a  I^ondon  newspa- 
per reaches  every  part  of  the  kingdom,  and  in  three 
months  every  part  of  the  globe. 

Some  will  suppose  that  the  newspapers  govern 
the  country.    Nothing  would  be  more  unfounded. 
There  is  a  power  not  only  in  the  government,  but 
in  the  country  itself  above  them,  and  this  lies  in 
the  educated  classes.    True,  the  daily  press  is  of 
the  educated  class ;  for  its  conductors  hold  the  pens 
of  scholars,  often  of  statesmen.    Hence,  you  see 
no  editorial  personalities;    which,  moreover,  ihe 
public  would  not  bear.    But  what  goes  into  the 
columns  of   newspapers,  no    matter    from    what 
sources,  comes  iiito  contact  with  equals  at  least  in 
mind  among  readers,  and  a  thousand  to  one  in 
number.    The  bulk  of  these  are  unmoved  by  what 
newspapers  say,  if  opposite  to  their  own  opinions ; 
which  passing  quickly  from  one  to  another  in  a 
society  where   population   is   dense,  make  head 
against  the  daily  press,  after  its  first  efforts  are 
spent  upon  classes  less  enlightened.     Half  the  peo- 
ple of  England   live  in  towns,  which   augments 
moral  as  physical  power;  the  last,  by  strengthen- 
ing rural  parts  through  demand  for  their  products 
—the  first  by  sharpening  intellect  through  oppor- 


■.  ,1  ■'".'    S« 


f 


3< 


"I 

nil 

•*» 

,  fi 

,  '*, 

'  ■* 

]'% 
KlI' 


^■^ 


248 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


If  I 


I* 


^1^' 


tunities    of    collis^n.      The    daily    press    could 
master   opposing  mental  forces,  if  scattered ;  but 
not  when  they  can  combine.     The  general  litera- 
ture of  the  country  also  reacts  against  newspapers. 
The  permanent  press,  as  distinct  from  the  daily, 
teems  with  productions.    There  is  a  great  and 
powerful  class  of  authors  always  existent  in  Eng- 
land, whose  sway  exceeds  that  of  the  newspapers 
as  the  main  body  the  pioneers.    The  periodical 
literature  is  also  effective;  a  match  at  least  for  the 
^  f  newspapers,  when  its   time  arrives.    It  is  more 
elementary;   less  hasty.    In  a  word,    the  daily 
press  in  England,  with  its  floating  capital  in  talents, 
zeal,  and  money,  can  do  much  at  an  onset.    It  is 
an  organized  corps,  full  of  spirit  and  always  ready; 
but  there  is  a  higher  power  of  mind  and  influence 
behind,   that  can  rally  and  defeat  it.    From  die 
latter  source  it  may  also  be  presumed,  that  a  more 
deliberate  judgment  will  in  the  end  be  formed  on 
difficult  questions,  than  from  the  first  impulses  and 
more  premature  discussions  of  the  daily  journals. 
The  latter  move  in  their  proper'  orbit  by  reflecting 
also,  in  the  end,  the  higher  judgment  by  which  they 
have  been  controlled.    Such  are  some  of  the  con- 
siderations that  strike  the  stranger  who  reads  their 


1818. 

could 

;  but 

litera- 

lapers. 
daily, 

it  and 

uEng- 

;papers 

riodical 
for  the 

is  more 

le  daily 

I  talents, 

k.    It  is 

s  ready; 
nfluence 

Irom  the 
t  a  more 
rmed  on 
Ises  and 
journals, 
eflecting 
Ibichthey 
the  con- 
^ads  their 


1818.] 


COURT    OP    LONDON. 


249 


\ 


daily  newspapers.    They  make  a  wonderful  part  of 
the  social  system  in  Ejigland. 

May  1.     Went  to  see  the  collection  of  porcelain 
at  Spode  and  Copeland's  Lincoln's  Inn  fields.     It 
is  one  of  repute,  the  proprietors  having  an  extensive 
manufactory   in  Staffordshire.     They   also  make 
glass.     Of  the  latter,  they  had  in  their  collection 
articles  recently   made   to   order  for  the   Prince 
Regent.     Among   them  were  decanters,  the  en- 
graving on  which,  particularly  the  coat  of  arms,  was 
so  fine,  that  one  of  the  proprietors  said  that  his  work- 
men could  not  work  upon  it  more  than  half  an 
hour  at  a  time,  from  the  pain  to  their  eyes,  or  more 
than  two  hours  in  the  whole  day ;  or  at  any  tinrjo, 
without  magnifying  glasses.   That  the  English  excel 
in  cut  glass,  is  known ;  so  thought  the  Emperor  of 
Russia  when  at  Shepherd's  ;  but  I  was  not  prepared 
to  see  their  porcelain  so  good.     Great  quantities  of 
it  were  in  this  repository.     The  painting  and  gilding 
seemed  not  inferior  to  the  French,  but  the  price 
was  much  higher,  which  is  a  sufficiei-f  reason  why 
it  is  not  known  abroad ;  for  the  English  would  export 
it,  and  in  quantities  as  large  as  their  broad  cloth 
and  hardware,  if  the  demand  existed.    The  beautiful 
porcelain  of  France,  is  largely  in  use  in  the  United 
32 


■*» 


'  ii.mii  an. 
:  mm 

.     -■     » 
•.  ..1   1* 

■ "  i 

., ..  J, 


250 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


1^-  „ 


I  f 


States ;  but  I  have  never  seen  any  English  of  this 
description ;  none  but  that  of  inferior  quahty  coming 
to  us,  as  far  as  I  know.     Although  the  workmanship 
on  the  best  English  may  compare  with  the  French, 
the  material  is  inferior ;  the  English  manufacturer 
says,  only  in  a  very  nice  shade ;  but  in  matters  of 
mere  luxury,  this  is  every  thing,  and  decides  the 
foreign  market  even  at  equal  prices.     A   dinner 
service  of  this  expensive  English  porcelain,  made  by 
order  of  the  British  government  for  Napoleon  at 
St.  Helena,  was  shown  to  us;  and  other  services  for 
persons  in  England,  in  classes  where  price  was  no 
objection.     Sometimes  the  price  of  a  single  plate 
would  be  several  guineas,  varying  according  to  the 
amount  of  pauiting  and  gilding  upon  it.     When 
well  covered  with  paintings  and  highly  gilt,  they  arc 
not  to  be  distinguished  from  the  best  specimens  ot 
china  to  be  seen  at  Sevres;  but  when  the  patterns 
disclose  much  of  the  white  surface  underneatli,  the 
superior  purity  of  the  French  material,  may  be 
perceived. 


May  3.  Yesterday  the  Royal  Academy  gave 
their  anniversary  dinner  at  Somerset  house.  It 
was  the  fiftieth  celebration.  Froisart,  when  lie 
found  himself  on  the  English  coast,  said,  that  he 


■# 


L818. 

f  this 

^ming 

inship 

rench, 

icturcr 

Lters  of 

Ics  the 

dinner 
iiade  by 
oleon  at 
vices  for 

was  no 

rrlc    p^illO 

iig  to  tk 
When 
,  they  arc 
imcns  ot 
pattern:^ 
leath,  tlu: 
may  bi' 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


251 


my  g^'^'^' 

house,    l^ 
Nvlien  1h> 
d,that  ho 


was  among  a  people  who  ^' loved  war  better  than 
jjeace,  and  where  strangers  were  well  received,^''     If 
the  latter  were  true  in  the  time  of  Edward  III., 
diplomatic  strangers  must  say  that  it  is  still.    Invita- 
tions crowd  upon  them.     If  they  did  not  decline 
more  than   they   accept,   there  would  be  a   poor 
account  of  their  public  business.     The  Royal  Aca- 
demy is  an  institution  for  the  encouragement  of  the 
arts.      Professorships  of  painting,   sculpture   and 
anatomy,  are  annexed  to  it.     The  first  President 
was  Sir  .Toslnia  M\  ynolds ;  in  which  capacity  he 
delivered   his  celebrated   discourses;    a  work  in- 
valuable to  the  student  in  painting,  and  to  be  read 
with  scarcely  less  advantage  by  the  student  of  any 
science  or  proft^ssion.     The  autb.or,  says  Burke,  in 
his  beautiful  obituary  notice  of  him,  was  the  first 
Englishman  who  added  the  praise  of  the  elegant 
arts,  to  the  other  glories  of  his  country.     Yesterday 
1  lindtlie  satisfaction  to  see,  as  his  successor  in  the 
cliiiir,  my  venerable  countryman,  Mr.  W(;st.   There 
were  present  the  royal  academicians,  a   large  col- 
lection of  the  nobility,  many  of  the  cabinet  ministers, 
\\\v.  lord  chancellor,  tlu;  bishops  of  f^oudon  and  Sa- 
lislmry,  artists,  and  others   high    in  the  walks  of 
iiviiiiis  and  taste,  the  foreign  ambassadors,  and  an 
iirray  of  private  genlleme.i.     I'^ive  of  liie  rooms  had 


I  ■  »■ 

•    ■■  » 

> 
1 

"% 

JU^  ••J 

V  I 


■i 

'It 


I     ' 


252  RESIDENCE    AT    THE  [1818. 

their  walls  hung  with  paintings ;  there  being  more 
than  four  hundred  pieces.  The  rule  being  to  re- 
ceive none  exhibited  formerly,  this  number  was 
therefore  to  be  taken  as  the  year's  production  of 
pieces  deemed  by  the  Academy  worthy  of  exhibition. 
Additional  rooms  were  open,  containing  architec- 
tural designs  and  specimens  in  sculpture. 

The  collection  was  rich  in  portraits.     The  Eng- 
lish, in  this  line,  do  not  perhaps  fall  behind  any  part 
of  Europe.   The  productions  of  Lawrence,  Beechey, 
Phillips,  Davis,  Newton,  Jackson,  and  many  others, 
were  seen  all  around.     The  piece  that  drew  most 
attention  from  the  interest  of  the  subject  in  British 
eyes,  was  a  full  length  likeness  of  the  Duke  of  Wel- 
lington, on  the  horse  he  rode,  and  in  the  dress  he 
wore,  at  the  battle  of  Waterloo.     It  was  by  Sir 
Thoinas   LawTcnce,   and    in    his   masterly   style. 
There  was  a  fine  j)iece  by  Mr.  W^^st,  founded  on  jin 
interview  between  the  Great  Mo<rul{ind  Lord  Clive. 
But  one  was  seen  of  surpassing  attraction,  the  Vn- 
mily  of  Sir  Walter  Scott,  by  Wilkic.     The  great 
author  is  seated  on  a  bank,  his  wife  and  <lnuglit<  rs 
near  him,  in  cottage  dresses.   If  we  had  Shakespeare 
in  a  family  scene  on  the  Avon,  by  a  distinguishcMl  ar- 
tist of  Elizabeth's  titne,  how  would  it  be  priz(Hl  now ' 
In  going  through  the  rooms  it  was  not  easv  to  avoiH 


818. 


1818.] 


COURT   OF    LONDON. 


253 


the  reflection,  that  a  day  of  fame  in  the  arts  awaits 
Britain.     She  is  still  in  her  youth  in  them,  having,  as 
yet,  hardly  made  any  efforts  to  excel  in  them.     Busy 
in  climbing  to  the  top  of  every  thing  else,  she  has  not 
had  time ;  the  useful  arts  have  occupied  her.     At  the 
head  of  these  in  Europe,  she  is  now  at  a  point  for 
embarking  in  the  fine  arts.   And  are  not  these  useful 
too,  when  all  ages  pronounce  that  they  enlarge  the 
understanding,  and  improve  the  heart,  as  much  as 
they  refine  the  taste  ?  To  suppose  the  English  climate 
not  favourable  to  the  fine  arts,  is  strange ;  a  climate 
where  beautiful  appearances  of  nature  abound ;  that 
has  been  favourable  to  every  kind  of  mental  emi- 
nence, as  mechanical  skill;    whore  there  is  little 
heat  to  relax,  or  cold  to  benumb;  where  the  infe- 
rior animals  are  seen  in  full  size  and  strength,  and 
the  human  form  in  all  its  proportions  and  beauty, 
not  a  climate  for  painters  and  sculptors  I  But,  it  is 
said,  there  must  be  a  certain  delicacy  of  thought 
and  feeling  to  appreciate  the  world  of  nature,  and 
deck  it  with  the  <jloriesof  art!  And  is  not  the  coun- 
try  of  Shakespeare,  and  Scotf ,  of  Milton,  and  Byron, 
and  Moore,  one  for  painters?  flow  came  {\\v  Dutch 
with  a  school  of  painting  of  their  own,  jind  an  emi- 
nent one?  Is  their  sky  uiorc  genial?  And  will  not 
the  English,  with  political  institutions  and  social 


I 


.WPM 

I.'   ...V* 
J. 

..  *■■  » 

■    '  "^ 

:> 

;^ 

i"  • 

I 


•r    »* 


1 


m 


254 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


n 


(    ! 


[1818. 

manners  of  tlicir  own,  try  new  fields  of  art?  An 
American  adopts  the  anticipation  the  rather,  be- 
cause he  chngs  to  the  bchef  that  his  own  country, 
Hke  repubhcs  of  old,  is  by  and  by  to  take  her  stand 
hi  the  arts.  Iler  students  even  now  go  to  Italy  for 
instruction.  They  hold,  that  in  the  great  world  of 
art,  there  is  still  immeasurable  room  for  originality, 
and  this  under  the  strictest  rules  of  art. 

We  dined  in  the  principal  exhibition  room.  Two 
tables  ran  down  the  sides  connected  by  another  at 
the  top.  In  the  middle  of  the  latter  sat  the  Presi- 
dent; on  one  side  of  him,  the  Duke  of  Sussex,  on 
the  other  the  Duke  of  Norfolk.  The  walls  were 
so  covered  that  every  position  connnanded  the 
paintings;  and,  through  diiferent  vistas,  the  eye 
could  steal  into  the  other  rooms.  The  whole  was 
cxtreinely  beautihil.  I  enter  into  no  minute  criti- 
cism; I  give  only  general  impressions.  It  is  not, 
as  I  know,  tlie  habit  of  the  English  of  the  higiur 
classes,  liistidious  from  their  familiarity  with  the 
i'\(|iiisite  models  of  the  continent,  to  value  them- 
selves much  on  this  home  exhibition;  but  for  iiiy- 
self,  bursting  upon  me  as  it  did  all  nt  onci,  I  thouglit 
it  highly  worthy  to  be  extolled.  I  could  have  lundc 
l»old  to  suggest  a  subject  l<>r  a  piece  that  I  did  not 
see  m  the  colleclioii:  viz.  The  President  and  Roifn/ 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


255 


|l  ilul  not 
id  lioijdl 


Academy^    at  the    nunivcrsarj/    dhincr^  zri/h    their 
guests. 

The  members  of  the  diplomatic  corps  liad  scats 
near  the  head.  After  the  Prince  Regent  and  royal 
family  had  been  given  as  toasts,  according  to  the 
custom  at  public  festivals  in  England,  the  President 
gave  the  "Foreign  ambassadors  and  ministers, 
who,"  as  he  was  pleased  to  add,  "  had  don(5  tlu; 
academy  the  honor  to  be  present."  The  toast 
was  clieered  with  great  courtesy.  The  corps  looked 
to  me  as  the  or^an  of  acknowled«nnent,  Ijiolish 
I  being  my  native  tongue.  Obeying  their  summons, 
1  returned  thanks,  adding  thai  I  was  authorized  to 
express  the  gratification  we  all  derived  in  partaking 
British  hos})itality  surrounded  by  so  many  memo- 
rials of  British  art.  Speeches  were  made  by  several 
of  the  nobility  and  gentlemen,  but  chiefly  the  Duke 
of  Sussex  and  Lord  Chancellor  Eldon.  Th(\v  were 
in  commendation  of  the  arts,  and  on  the  usefuhiess 
of  that  Institution  towards  their  udvancement  in 
England.  Dinner  was  served  at  si\, and  until  p«ist 
seven  we  had  the  sun  throu<jjh  skv-lights.  After- 
wards,  there  fell  gradually  from  above,  light 
from  numerous  shaded  lamps  in  lumging  cir- 
cles.     They    were    burning,    unobserved,    when 


I 


.J* 


■•'If 

t 


^'1 


m 


•ft 


256 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


we  sat  clown,  and  seemed  to  emerge  from  their 


.■^' 


m 


ambush  as  night  came  on. 


Dependent  lychni  laquearibus  aureis 
Incensi ;  at  noctem  flammis  funalia  vincunt. 

May  G.  This  is  the  season  for  public  societies 
to  hold  their  meetings.  It  would  be  next  to  impos- 
sible to  ascertain  the  number,  charitable,  religious, 
literary,  dramatic,  philanthropic,  and  of  all  descrip- 
tions. I  made  some  attempts,  but  ceased  from 
their  hopelessness.  A  public  spirited  individual, 
who  is  also  a  member  of  parliament,  handed  me  a 
printed  list  containing  the  day  and  place  of  meet- 
ing of  between  fifty  and  sixty  of  those  only  with 
which  he  was  connected.  The  Egyptian  hall,  city 
of  London  tavern.  Crown  and  Anchor,  or  sonic 
other  large  building  is  chosen,  and  a  round  of  din- 
ners begins ;  this  being  most  commonly  the  form 
of  celebration.  Persons  who  were  together  at  the 
principal  schools,  as  Eton  and  Harrow,  and  fellow 
graduates  of  the  different  colleges  in  the  universi- 
ties, have  also  their  annual  dinners,  to  keep  alive 
early  friendships.  Many  of  the  associates  come 
up  to  town  from  their  home^  at  a  distance  in  the 
country,  on  purpose  to  attend  them. 


.818. 
their 


COURT   OP   LONDON. 


257 


!d  from 
lividual, 
Bcl  me  a 
Df  meet- 
ily  ^vitb 
imll,  city 
ir  some 
of  din- 
|hc  form 
r  at  the 
id  fellow 
inivcrsi- 
lep  alive 
les  come 
ce  in  the 


1818.] 

The  English  are  very  remarkable  for  giving  din- 
ners. I  do  not  here  allude  to  the  kind  last  named, 
or  those  in  private  life;  but  to  their  habit  of  giv- 
ing them  in  connexion  with  objects  exclusively 
public.  These,  charitable  ones  among  them,  they 
constantly  advance  in  this  manner. 

"The  veins  unfilled,  our  blood  is  cold,  and  then 
We  pout  upon  the  morning,  are  unapt 
To  give  or  to  forgive ;  but  when  wr  have  stuffed 
These  pipes  and  these  conveyances  of  our  blood 
With  wine  and  feeding,  we  have  suppler  souls 
Than  in  our  priest-like  fasts." 

If  the  English  meant  to  go  by  this  doctrine  of 
their  great  bard,  they  have  done  well,  for  their  cha- 
rities are  stupendous.  A  newspaper  can  hardly  be 
opened  that  does  not  hold  up  a  long  list  of  sub- 
scriptions amounting  to  sums  that  are  some- 
times enormous.  I  have  now  particular  reference 
to  some  for  building  churches  and  establishing 
schools,  that  within  a  few  days  have  met  my  eye. 
So  in  various  parts  of  London,  hospitals  and  other 
asylums  for  the  distressed,  arrest  attention  bearing 
the  inscription  "  Founded  by  voluntary  Contribu- 
tion," which  would  be  httle  remarkable,  perhaps, 

were  they  not  beheld  in  connexion  with  poor  taxes 
33 


■1* 


i 

I 


* 
,11 

ft 


'■.  1 


258 


RESIDENCE    AT    TFTE 


[1818. 


ir"\ 


•<?■, 


* 


i*. 

1* 

I 

1 

) 


to  an  cimoimt  sucli  as  no  nation  ever  before  paid. 
The  buildings  devoted  to  tbese  cbaritable  purposes, 
arc  often  more  spacious  than  the  royal  palaces, 
and  show  an  exterior  more  imposing. 

An  annual  dirmer  seems  an  indispensable  ad- 
junct to  an  English  charity.  Here  is  a  ''^Samaritan 
society  ;"  or  an  "  Infirmary  for  the  diseases  of  the 
eye ;"  a  society  for  the  "  Relief  of  decayed  Artists ;" 
another  for  relieving  ^^jjoor  authors ;"  a  fifth  for  the 
*"' indigent  blind;'''' n  sixth  for  '''"foreigners  in  dis- 
tress;''^ a  seventh  for  the  '^  deaf  and  dumb  ;^''  a  socie- 
ty for  ''''promoting  Christian  knowledge ;''''  a  '•'medi- 
cal benevolent  society,''''  and  I  know  not  how  many 
more,  for  I  merely  take  examples,  all  of  which 
have  their  anniversary  dinners.  Whatever  the 
demands  upon  the  charitable  fund,  there  seems  al- 
ways enough  for  a  dinner  fund  too.  Eating  and 
drinking  arc  not  the  sole  objects  of  this  festivity. 
Business  is  transacted,  reports  on  the  state  of  the 
charity  made,  and  speeches  delivered,  in  the  course 
of  which  the  pocket  is  appealed  to.  Feeling  rises 
as  the  glass  goes  round,  and  the  evening  generally 
closes  with  an  increase  of  the  treasurer's  store. 
Noblemen,  including  royal  dukes,  take  part  on 
these  occasions,  often  presiding  at  the  dinners,  and 
otherwise  givnig  their  personal  iiistrumoiitality,  and 


.818. 
paid. 

)OSCS, 

laces, 

ic  ad- 

laritan 

of  the 

rtists  ;" 

for  tlic 

in  dis- 

a  socic- 

,  *'  mcdi- 

w  many 

f  wliicli 

jver  the 

eems  al- 
ing  and 
festivity. 
:c  of  the 
10  course 
ling  rises 
generally 
•'s  store, 
part  on 
lors,  and 
Lility,and 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


259 


1 


freely  their  purses,  towards  the  objects  of  the  so- 
cieties. In  France,  before  the  revolution,  the 
noble  families  were  computed  at  thirty  thousand. 
In  England,  they  may  perhaps  be  computed  at  six 
or  eight  hundred ;  yet  this  handful  does  more  of 
the  every  day  business  of  the  country,  than  the 
thirty  thousand  ever  did  in  France.  In  France  they 
did  the  work  of  chivalry ;  they  fought  bravely  in  the 
army  and  navy.  In  England  besides  this,  you  trace 
them  in  road  companies,  canal  compnuios ;  in  be- 
nevolent and  public  institutions  of  all  kinds ;  to  say 
nothing  of  their  active  patronage  of  the  arts,  and 
their  constant  share  in  politics;  in  the  latter,  not 
simply  as  cabinet  ministers  and  in  other  official 
posts,  but  as  speakers,  rnmmittoe-inen,  the  drnfts- 
men  of  elaborate  reports,  and  hard-workers  in  all 
ways. 

I  have  to-day  been  at  a  meeting  of  the  British 
and  Foreign  Bible  Society.  Lord  Tcignmouth 
was  in  the  chair.  Lord  Ilarrowby,  president  of 
the  council  of  cabinet  ministers ;  Mr.  Vansittart, 
chancellor  of  the  exchequer ;  the  bishops  of  Nor- 
wich and  Gloucester,  with  several  other  bishops ; 
Lords  Gambier  and  Calthorpo,  Mr.  Wilberforcc, 
and  others  distinguished  by  character,  title,  or 
station,  were  present.     A   report   was    read,   by 


•  IT  "» 


3 


t« 
t 

■  tt 

ft 


260 


RRainENOE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


f  I 


I  • 


C  •" 

J 


1    §■ 


r^-' 


which  it  appeared  that  the  society  had  been  the 
means  of  distributing  two  millions  of  bibles ;  had 
caused  it  to  be  translated  into  twenty-seven  lan- 
guages, and  that  since  the  last  annual  meeting, 
there  had  been  collected  in  aid  of  the  society's 
limds,  by  private  subscriptions  in  Britain,  ninety- 
nine  thousand  pounds  sterUng.    The  report  con- 
tained some  complimentary  allusions  to  Bible  soci- 
eties in  the  United  States.    These  passages  were 
loudly  cheered.    Several  speakers  who  addressed 
the  meeting,  mentioned  the  United  States  in  a 
similar  spirit ;  amongst  them,  the  Chancellor  of  the 
exchequer,  and  the  Bishop  of  Gloucester.    The 
former  spoke  of  Great   Britain  and  the  United 
States,  as  thft  "  two  greatest  maritime  nations  of 
the  world ;"  the  Bishop  of  Gloucester  called  the 
latter,  "  a  great  and  growing  sister  country."    I 
was  requested  after  entering  the  hall,  to  move  a 
vote  of  thanks  to  the  distinguished  president.  Lord 
Teignmouth.    A  resolution  to  this  effect  was  put 
into  my  hands,  w^hich  I  moved  accordingly.    In 
fulfilling  the  duty,  whilst  joining  in  the  tribute  that 
all  had  rendered  to  the  objects  of  the  society,  I 
was  happy  in  the  opportunity  of  responding,  as 
national  courtesy  demanded,  to  the  notices  taken 
of   mv    country.     The    invitations    to    foreign 


1818. 

bh  the 
3;  had 
n  lan- 
leeting, 
jciety's 
ninety- 
)rt  con- 
)le  soci- 
res  were 
idressed 
tes  in  a 
lor  of  the 
er.    The 
3  United 
ations  of 
;alled  the 

[ntry."  1 
move  a 
[ent,  Lord 
Lt  was  put 

ngly.    In 
tbute  that 

society,  1 

iding,  as 

Ices  taken 

foreiffn 


1818.] 


COURT    OF   LONDON. 


261 


ministers  to  attend  the  meetings  of  these  pubhc 
societies  in  London,  are  generally  given  by  a  com- 
mittee or  other  deputation  from  the  society,  waiting 
upon  them  personally.  It  was  so  that  I  had  mine 
to  be  present  on  the  foregoing  occasion,  and  others 
have  reached  me  in  the  same  manner. 

May  10.  Dined  at  the  Marquis  of  Lansdowne's. 
His  name  had  long  been  familiar  to  .ne  with  every 
prepossession;  and  in  the  House  of  Lords,  I  had 
already  listened  to  his  disciplined  eloquence. 

The  company  consisted  of  Lord  and  Lady  Lans- 
downe,  his  royal  highness  the  Duke  of  Gloucester, 
the  Earl  of  Ilchester,  the  Earl  of  Rosslyn.  Lord 
Holland,  Lord  Erskine,  the  Bishop  of  Sodo.  and 
Man,  the  Russian  and  Austrian  ambassadors,  the 
vice  chancellor,  and  the  ladies  of  several  of  the 
guests. 

In  the  dining  room  were  ancient  statues<  They 
were  in  ancient  costumes,  standing  in  niches  con- 
structed for  their  reception.  These  time-honoured 
master-pieces  of  genius  and  art,  had  been  obtained 
from  Rome.  As  we  walked  into  dinner  through  a 
suite  of  apartments,  the  entire  aspect  was  of  classic 
beauty;  the  very  table  on  which  the  statues  seem- 


'  ..It'' 

"in 

I 


IS 


2G2 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


■I  tt*   ti,' 


* 


1  ! 


[1818. 


ed  to  look,  might  almost  be  called  classic,  so  chaste 
were  its  decorations. 

Conversation  was  various.  Tiv  I'loridas  being 
mentioned  in  connexion  with  the  rumour  of  their 
intended  transfer  to  the  United  States,  Lord  Ers- 
kine  said,  wc  ought  to  have  them;  that  is,  he 
added, '^  If  I  belonged  to  the  United  States,  I  tvoidd 
maintain  that  doctrine ;"  there  was  the  same  vein 
about  him  as  at  the  Duke  of  Cumberland's;  a 
youthfulness  of  imagination  that  imparted  its 
sprightliness  to  every  thing. 

The  Duke  of  Gloucester  spoke  of  General  Wash- 
ington. It  was  with  the  praise  always  annexed 
to  his  great  name.  He  commended,  particularly, 
his  Farewell  Address.  Lord  Erskine  called  hini 
an  august  and  immortal  man. 

Architecture  being  a  topic.  Lord  Holland  said, 
that  it  did  not  yet  flourish  in  England.  Italy, 
France,  and  other  parts  of  the  continent,  had  bet- 
ter public  edifices;  specimens  of  domestic  archi- 
tecture were  not  wanting  in  England;  but  these 
were  too  often  spoiled  by  putting  the  door  in  the 
middle;  by  this  custom,  good  arrangement  inside 
was  sacrificed  to  external  appearance,  and  he  was 
not  sure  that  a  gain  always  followed  in  this  re- 
spect; on  the  continent,  the  entrance  to  the  best 


[1818. 
chaste 

s  being 
)f  their 
rd  Ers- 
■   is,  he 
I  ivould 
me  vein 
ind's;  a 
LTted   its 


1818.] 


COURT   OP    LONDON. 


2G3 


private  buildings,  was  generally  at  tlio  side.  The 
architecture  of  the  ancients  was  s[)oken  of,  and 
other  subjects  touched  as  they  arose. 

After  we  came  from  table,  I  had  more  conver- 
sation with  Lord  Erskine.  He  spoke  of  the  Em- 
peror Alexander.  He  had  seen  La  Harpe,  his 
tutor,  at  Paris,  who  showed  him  letters  from  the 
emperor,  written  soon  after  his  accession  to  the 
throne.  One  of  them  ran  thus :  "  My  dear  friend : 
I  feel  the  load  of  my  responsibility ;  I  feel  how 
incompetent  my  youth  und  inexperience  are,  to 
wield  the  sceptre  of  such  an  empire  ;  all  that  I  can 
hope  is,  that  I  may  be  guided  by  the  precepts  you 
have  taught  me ;  I  pray  you,  if  ever  you  find  me 
departing  from  them,  to  remind  me  of  them ;  do 
not  wait  for  me  to  send  for  you ;  this  I  probably 
shall  not  do  when  I  act  in  opposition  to  them ; 
hut  write  to  me,  come  to  me,  to  recall  me  from  my 
errors."  All  will  agree  diat  such  a  letter  was 
honourable  to  both  pupil  and  preceptor.  His  lord- 
ship said,  that  La  Harpe  told  him,  the  emperor  was 
fond  of  reading  works  on  the  institutions  of  the  Uni- 
ted States.  Before  separating,  he  said,  that  he  in- 
tended to  call  on  me  soon,  not  by  leaving  a  card, 
tile  common  way  he  believed  of  visiting  foreign 


I 


> 


m 


264 


RESIDENCE    AT   THE 


[1818. 


1 
I 


••f 


ministers,  but  by  coming  m.     I   assured   him  he 
could  in  no  way  make  me  more  happy. 

May  19.    Last  evening,  we  were   at  Carlton 
House.    Tins  seems  the  season  for  large  routs  by 
night,  as  the  meeting  of  public  societies  by  day. 
We  have  been  to  a  number.    I  could  give  little  de- 
scription of  them,  unless  to  speak  of  their  crowds, 
and  the  difficulty  of  getting  to  them  and  from  them, 
through  phalanxes  of  carriages.    In  this  latter  re- 
spect, I  believe  that  I  must  venture  upon  a  short 
account  of  one  to  which  we  were  lately  invited. 
Proceeding  to  it,  and  being  somewhere  about  the 
middle  of  Bond  street,  the  horses  suddenly  came  to 
a  slow  walk.     Pulling  the  check  string,  I  asked  tlie 
coachman  what  was  the  matter  ?  "  behind  the  line, 
sir,"  he  replied.     The  line  meant  a  hundred  car- 
riages or  more,  the  one  in  front  reaching  to  the 
house  to  which  we  were  going.    We  continued  at 
this  snail's  pace,  made  still  slower  by  a  jerking  stop 
every  minute,  to  allow  time  for  the  headmost  car- 
riage to  set  down  its  company.     After  a  full  hour, 
my  carriage  got  head  ;  and  now  there  seemed,  in 
turn,  a  hundred  behind  mine.     No  military  line  was 
ever  formed  or  kept  with  more  regularity ;  and  room 
was  left  for  carriages  to  pass  that  were  going  m 


1818. 

im  he 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


'ior) 


[Carlton 
)Uts  by 
by  day. 
little  de- 
crowds, 
)m  them, 
atter  rc- 
i  a  short 
J  invited, 
ibout  tiic 
y  came  to 
asked  the 
d  the  line, 
idred  car- 
ing to  tlic 
Intiimcd  at 
[rking  stop 
[most  car- 
full  hour, 
Bccmcd,  in 
Unewa:' 
and  room 
going  >n 


other  directions.     All  the  cnrria<ros  bad  lamps  burn- 
ing, Avliich  I  observe  to   b(;    the  caso   in   London, 
even  when  the  moon  shines.     Wv  ali^htrd  (jnickly, 
were  announced  by  the  servants,  and  got  to  the 
neighbourhood  of  the  staircase ;  but   it  was  abso- 
lutely choked  up   with   company:    numbers    also 
were  desirous  of  comiuiif  down,  it  beiuijj  now  mid- 
night ;  these  met  the  ascending  |)arty,  and  the  two 
parties  stood  on  the;  stairs,   (ace  to  face.     After 
waitinjx  half  an  hour,  the  masses  constantlv  thick- 
ening  by  reinforccmcMits  each  way,  I  began  t<»  des- 
pjiir,  and  ordered   my  carriag(\  which,  in  another 
half  hour,  came  up,  and  wo  were  driven  home  \\\\\\- 
out  having  advanced  a  step  beyond  the  hall.     This 
was,  literally,  the  predicament   with  many  oth(>rs, 
as  well  as  ourselves.     At  another  of  the  sanu*  kind 
of  parties,  at  a  mansion  in  rark-lane,  we  advanced 
a  little  farther:  we  W(M'(*  able   to  reach  the  distiu- 
tfuished  (>ntertainers  in  the  priiK  ipal  (lra\\iiin-n»om 
upstairs.     It  was  then  one  o'clock;  and,  desirini: 
to  come  away,  we  began  to  descend  airninst  a  fresh 
strcNuu  coming  \ip.     Step  by  step,   we  at    last   »r(>t 
down,  when  tlu*  uatchmau  was  crvinu;  two.     More 
than   a  th(Misaud   persons  w<'re  said  to  lia\e  been 
present  on  this  occasion. 
The  entertainment  lust  evening  at  C'arltou-house 

at 


I 


1" 


f 

»»■ 


2GG 


IlliSIDENCB    AT    THE 


[1818. 


I;   I 


was,  in  jicvcnil  respects,  different.  The  company 
found  space  in  the*  ample  rooms,  althoufrli  there 
was  an  array  of  all  the  principal  persons  of  the 
court,  a  very  full  number  of  peers  and  peeresses,  the 
forei<ni  ambassadors  and  ministers,  and  many 
otliers.  I  cau<^ht  conversation  as  I  could,  in  sucli.i 
tliron<"j.  Lord  Sidmouth,  secretary  of  state  for  the 
liome  department,  assured  \\u)  of  the  earnest  desire 
of  his  majc^sty's  ij^ovenunent,  to  strengthen  the 
friendly  relations  between  our  two  countries,  llo 
spoke  of  the  United  Stales  with  ^^rviit  cor(lialil\. 
He  inquired  for  Mr.  Kiu<x,  saying,  that  he  had  earn- 
ed the  lasting  respect  and  ijood  will  f»f  many  persons 
in  J^ij^land.  Nor  did  the  Prince  U(Mi;iMit  coiicIiKlf 
liis  salutati(>ns  tome,  without  reiu^wing  his  incjuirics 
(or  him. 

The  rooms  were  ma<jnific(Mit.  'I'he  iroldeii  pliiit 
in  (lisj)lay,  is  said  to  be  unrivalled  in  I'urope.  Il 
includes  sonu*  that  b('!()U;L;(  d  to  Charles  the  I'irsf. 
One  of  th(^  rooms  led  throujLih  doors  of  reflcrtinif 
glass,  to  a  rich  (Gothic  conservatory  partially  illu- 
minated with  hauniiia  lumps,  and  filled  with  llowcis. 
through  th«'  leaves  surrounding  which,  the  linlih 
twinkled  as  you  apjH'oachcd ;  for  it  was  open  to 
the  walks  of  the  com|>aiiy.  'I'han  (lowers,  ilicn" 
can  be   nothing  mon^  beautiful,  even   iii   palace-: 


1818. 

ihorc 

cp,  the 

many 

fiiich  11 

lor  llu' 

t  desire 

WW    the 

cs.     He 

mVmliiN. 

lad  v'AYW- 

f  pdr^oib 

concliiili 


IS  18.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


'JO' 


\ 


the  Prince's  baiul  was  staliouod  in  tins  heantiful 
receptacle  for  them,  and  played  at  inter\als  throngh- 
out  the  eveninii;.  It  was  not  at  an  early  hour  that 
we  got  away  from  such  a  scene. 

Mill/  *J1.  Dr.  Pinckard,  an  (Mninont  j)hysirian  of 
Bloomsbury  scpmre,  entertained  us  very  hospitably 
at  dinner.  He  was  formerly  attached  to  the  IJritish 
army,  and  on  ser\ice  in  the  VVest  Indies.  Thence 
he  visited  Philadei|)hia,  where  I  miide  his  accjuain- 
timce;  list(>ning,  at  my  IjiiIhtV  table,  to  his  vari- 
ous and  intellimMit  conversation. 

()1*  the  ^rii(.jits,  was  Ijeutennnt  Cienernl  Sir 
('harle.>  (ireen.  Advanced  in  life,  he  was  still  a 
fine  looking  man,  with  little  of  aj^e  in  his  manner. 
He  had  bet>n  distiiiiiuished  by  his  services  in  the 
uiirs  of  the  I 'rencli  revolution  ;  but  I  found  thatlns 
military  career  took  an  earlier  dat«\  IFo  was  a 
(•(iptiiin  in  liiiriroyne's  iirmy,  had  been  *  (i'tuved  at 
S;ir!it(»«/;i  in  1778,  mid  luiiiched  as  a  pi'i<«'ier  from 
Alhimy  to  Hostoii.  lb'  icliiti-d  nin'doics  of  thn 
•  i  ihpjiiiiii,  and  of  his  m.'irch  ;  il  iM.d  scarcely  be 
.i(l<led,  with  urbiimtN  and  i^uod  hiimoiir. 

I  iiM'iitioii  iIm'  ineidcnt  the  nitlier,  because  al- 
tliou'di  tlie  lir>l,  il  >\Jis  not  the  only  instance  in 
^vliuh  I  met  tliosr  Nsho  hii(l   .^hiired   in  the  wMr  o| 


jpa 


Jkm 


ft 

I 


% 


268 


RESIDENCE  AT  THE 


[1818. 


the  American  revolution ;  and  who  spoke  of  its 
events  in  tlie  same  spirit.  Belonging  to  an  age 
gone  bv,  it  seems  no  longer  to  be  recalled  in  I'^ng- 
land,  in  any  other  spirit  tiian  that  of  history.  And 
what  says,  in  a  similar  spirit,  that  noblest  of  all  our 
state  papers,  the  great  charter  of  om*  liberties — the 
Declaration  of  Independence;  that  vvc  should  re- 
gard th(^  IJritish  as  we  do  all  other  nations — 
*' enemies  in  war,  in  })eacc  friends." 


■  f 
^ 


m 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON, 


') 


2G9 


CHAPTER   XV. 


THE  I'NITED  STATEH  AND  IONIAN  ISLANDS.  AFFAIRS 
BETWEEN  THE  UNITED  STATES  AND  SPAIN.  MONU- 
MENT TO  HURNS.  HRrnSIl  INSTITUTION,  I'ALL  MALL. 
DINNER  AT  MR.  <  ANMN(;'s.       LORD  ERSKINE. 

Maj/ 2\.  *******  from  the  lonijin  Islnnds, 
lulled  upon  nio,  havinfj  a  conuiuiiiifnlion  to  iuak(\ 
(»f  interest, as  he  said, to  hisrouiitry;  and  he  hoped 
1  would  think  it  so  to  mine.  \\\  :.  treaty  conrln- 
(led  at  Paris  in  lHir»,  the*  seven  loniai  Islands  had 
l)een  torined  into  f«n  indejHMidi  :it  state,  denomina- 
U'd  "The  United  States  of  the  Ionian  Islands"  and 
phiced  vhiuer  the  protc^ction  of  (in'at  Britain.  It 
was  a  protection  the  Islands  «lid  not  like.  Did  the 
constitution  of  my  country  prohihit  our  acquirin^ir 
foreijrn  possessions^  1  said,  ihj.  II(;  asked  if  it 
would  accord  with  our  policy,  to  have  a  ronne.xioii 
with  \\\v  Seven  Islands;    such  a   measure  lie  l)e- 


I 


*i 


<tr  <*■ 


r 


I'   -I 


"^ 


270 


IlESlDEx\CK    AT     THK 


[1818. 


licvcd  would  l)c  practiral)l(%  if  the  United  States 
would  consent.  In  short,  lie  thought  that  the  Isl- 
ands, pnrticularly  Corfu,  Zante  and  Cephalonia, 
would  he  willing  to  |)liice  themselvc^s  under  the  pro- 
tection of  the  United  States,  if  the  terms  could  he 
arranged. 

I  asked  what  Eni'land  would  sav,  and  Russia. 
and  Eiu'ope  generally^  He  replied,  that  he  did  not 
sec  what  ground  of  ohjection  there  could  he,  if  tho 
Islands  desired  it;  remarking  that  he  had  perceived 
hy  th(^  newsj)apers  that  mi/  n'oc^ rufarnf  intd  jtrotrstrd 
airdinst  Great  BriUiin  cxcrcisiiiix  sorrrciirntj/  over 
/hem  (t)iij  hifi>rr. 

I  was  little  pnM^vired  for  surli  a  connnunicatioii. 
!  caiuiot  say,  indeed,  that  I  was  an  entire  stranger 
to  the  [)ul)hcati()n  he  alhided  to,  for  I  had  s(U'n  if: 
Imt  I  had  considered  it  in  the  light  ofa,  hurlescpie  upon 
a  previous  newspapt^*  paragraph,  stating  that  (ireiit 
SJritain  had  protested  against  th(^  United  States 
actpiiring  liie  I'loridas.  W'iiat  is  penned  in  nnrtli. 
iiowever,  it  seems,  may  sometimes  ])ass  for  eaiii<'r«t. 
I  assured  *******  \\^.^\  there  was  nc*  fonnd.i- 
tion  for  ;lie  .  'coun)  ;  uliich  lie  appeare<l  to  lia\*' 
helieved  fully  until  1 1:':  interview.  He  did  nol  urii' 
the  less  that  nsv  iiovernmeni  sliould  tak(  into  con 
sideralion  the  e.\[»edien('y  of  assunung  the  pmir* 


1^ 


1818. 

States 

tie  U- 
alonia, 
AC  pvo- 
3uk\  be 


%4j 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


271 


torship  of  tlie  Ishiiuls;  Jiiul  enljir<red  on  tlu^ 
prospects  of  coinmcrciiil  iidvniitngo  it  would  open 
to  us  ])y  an  intercourse;  with  the  Morea,  .\ll)ania, 
Constantino])l(%  and  the  Ottoman  dominions  gen- 
erally. I  rephed  tliat  it  wns  no  part  of  the  system 
of  the  I'nited  States,  to  <^"et  entannled  with  Muro- 
penn  pohtics,  nnd  l(\'ist  of  uW  to  interfere  in  tlie  re- 
lutionshij)  between  (Jrent  Britain  and  these  Islands. 
This  was  the  amount  of  the  iiitervi(^w.  He  was 
iittended  l)y  two  other  j)ersons  iVom  the  Islands. 

As  the  liULrlish  news])aj)ershave  lately  abounded 
in  vituperative   articles  against  the  liiited  States, 
in  connexion  with  their  affairs  with  Spain,  without 
understand inir  thcMu,  or  exhibit ino-  only  the  Spanish 
side,  I  will  here   insert  a  letter   I  a<l(lresscd  to  the 
President  on  this  subject,  which  bears  upon  the  fore- 
going interview.     My  r(^i»ular  weekly  despatches, 
were  addressed  to  Mr.  Secretary    Adams.     These 
went  on  the  public  iiles  of  the  department  of  state. 
I  wrote  to  him,  also  on   pu!>!ic  nuitteiv.  in  a  wny 
not  desijifned  for  those  Iiles.  it  beinu   mv  u'ood   for- 
tniicMo  tMijoy  his  eoididenee;  and,  not  uiil're<juenlly, 
I  wrote  to  the   President   in   the  same  maimer;  of 
which  this  conununieation  may  be  taken  as  a  sam- 
ple.   It  was  (kited  the  twentieth  of  this  month, and, 
in  its  niaterijil  parts,  was  as  follows: 


1^ 


i>- 


if 

,in« 


V1 


% 

> 

i 


»« 
♦* 


% 


t 


272  RESIDENCE    AT    THE  [1818. 

"  Since  my  last,  no  steps  tliat  were  practicable 
have  been  omitted  to  ascertain  from  what  source 
the  letter,  a  copy  of  which  1  transmitted,  proceeded; 
or  how  far  the  information  which  it  disclosed,  is  to 
be  relied  upon.  The  writer  states  himself  to  be 
in  connexion  with  a  person  high  in  station,  but  de- 
clines an  interview.  Since  the  tenth  instant,  ho 
has  addressed  several  letters  to  the  legation.  I 
would  send  copies,  but  thdt  all  are  to  the  same 
effect,  and  the  one  already  sent,  will  be  to  you  ,i 
sufficient  specimen  of  his  style  and  manner.  Keep- 
ing to  points  that  arc  essential,  I  will  condense  tlic 
information  they  purport  to  convey,  thus  saving 
your  valuable  time. 

"  lie  continues  to  assert,  that  Great  Britain  lias 
secretly  determined  to  supj)ort  Spjiin  in  a  contest 
with  the  United  States;  that  the  cabinet  of  tlie 
former  has  resolved  that  our  territory  shall  not  In 
extended,  and  more  than  all  that  the  Floridas  shall 
not  be  added  to  it,  as  bringing  us  too  near  to  Ciiha: 
that  Spain  is  to  begin  the  contest,  not  by  a  formal 
declaration,  but  by  letting  loose  her  privateers; 
that  she  will  take  this  st(^|)  as  soon  as  the  nrnia- 
inent  now  ])re|);iring  at  C'jidiz  to  go  ngjnnst  South 
America,  shall  have  sailed,  and  that  this  is  the 
opinion  of  the  Spanish  ambassador  at  this  coiui. 


[1818. 

ticable 
source 
:cccicd; 
5(1,  is  to 
If  to  be 
,  but  de- 
itant,  he 
ition.    1 
tbc  sumo 
to  you  a 

T.    Koop- 


1818.] 


COURT   OF   LONDON. 


273 


founded  on  communications  from  Madrid;  that  the 
manifesto  of  Spain  will  soon  appear,  calling  upon 
all  other  powers  who  have  colonics  to  assist  her  in 
her  struggle ;  that  an  officer  high  in  the  Spanish 
embassy  was  sent  off  express  to  Paris  on  these  ob- 
jects last  week,  and  that  a  Spanish  Secretary  lately 
sailed  from  the  Thames  with  definitive  instructions 
to  the  Spanish  minister  at  Washington,  Mr.  Onis, 
under  the  crisis  that  is  approaching.    That  Spain 
is  to  have  no  quarrel  with  Portugal,  such  a  mea- 
sure not  falling  in  with  the  views  of  England,  and 
that  Olivcuzu  will  be  given  up;  that  five  of  the 
daily  newspapers  of  London  have   tlit-ir  columns 
open  to  the  Spanish  embassy,  and  that  the  Spanish 
government  is  actively  em})loyed  in  buying  up  ves- 
sels to  be  fitted  out  and  manned  in  England,  to 
cruise  under  the  Spanish  flag  against  our  trade; 
that  Spain  has  her  agents  at  work  in  several  of  the 
ports  of  equipment  in  this  kingdom;  also  in  France, 
Holland  and    the    Netherlands,   expecting,  under 
cover  of  her  own  flag,  to  enlist  the  j)rivateoring 
means  of  half  Europe  against  the  commerce  of  the 
United  States  whilst  every  where  exposed,  and  that 
the  vessels  will  be  fitted  out  under  pretence   of 
acting  against  South   America.      That  a  jxirson 
lately  arrived  bore  from  Madrul,  with  fidl  powers 
3.") 


'J 

■M  - 


274 


RESIDENCE   AT  THE 


[1818. 


:;■«* 

^<;^; 


1    ( 


t  ■ 


I 


<f *  t., 

4 

A' 


I!     I 


from  the  king  to  the  Spanish  nmhassador  to  act  at 
his  discretion  in  procuring  the  instruments  and 
means  of  striking  at  our  commerce ;  that  the  am- 
bassador, who  is  represented  as  having  large  pri- 
vate resources,  which  he  spends  liberally  in  addition 
to  his  public  allowances,  has  the  unbounded  confi- 
dence of  his  king,  who  will  confirm  all  that  h 
does.  Finally,  that  the  ambassador  has  causeil  u 
pamphlet  to  be  written  against  tlie  United  Statt^s. 
dilating  upon  their  alleged  injustice  and  rapacifv 
towards  Spain,  which,  by  raising  odium  again.^t 
them,  is  intended  to  aid  tho.  hostile;  viuws  of  Spain; 
and  tliat  many  thousand  cupi(.'s  of  it  arc  to  be  cir- 
culated in  French,  Spanish  and  English,  in  quarters 
where  it  will  be  likely  to  be  most  etVective. 

"The  question  is,how  far  do  the  above  allegation^ 
or  any  of  them,  a})pear  tu  be  sustained  by  facts! 
The  most  materii:!  arc,  the  asserted  purchase  and 
equipment  of  vessels  in  tlu^  ports  of  Great  Ihilaiii. 
This,  if  true,  cannot  easily  bo  hidden.  As  yet  1 
have  obtained  no  information  that  would  authoriM' 
me  in  saying  that  it  has  been  done.  I  have  miuk. 
and  will  continue  to  make,  every  inquiry.  Per- 
sons  connected  witli  the  American  trade,  are  the  j 
proper  sources  to  resort  to;  their  sagacity  will  btM 


[1818. 

»r  to  act  at 
mcnts  and 
lat  the  am- 
5  large  pri- 
T  in  addition 
Lindcd  confi- 
all   that  li(3 
1ms  caused  a 
nlted  StatON 
and  rapacit\ 
.liuiii   agaiibi 
o>vs  of  Spain; 
are  to  he  cir- 
ish,  in  (luarters 

ictivc. 

•v(^  allo^ratiouN 

modhy  tacts' 
purchase  and 

Great  Britain, 

en.     As  y^  1 
oukl  authori>«" 

1  have  nmiU". 
inquiry,    l^*'" 

trade,  are  the 
ligacity  willh'l 


1818.]  COURT  OF  LONDON.  275 

sure  to  make  the  first  discoveries ;  nor  will  our 
vigilant  consul,  Colonel  Aspinwall,  be  asleep. 

"As  to  tiie  newspiipers  being  open  to  the  Span- 
ish embassy,  this  is  not  iinpnjbable.     Most  of  the 
violent  articles  against  the  I  iiited  States  touching 
their  atiairs  with  Spain,  that  have  lately  appeared 
in  the  London  ])ai)(3rs,  have  proccMjded,  1  have  little 
doubt,  from  Spaniards,  or  pens  whifh  they  enlist. 
They  bear  decided   marks  of  this  origin.     There 
was,  I  believe,  an  otticer  of  th'     ^iinnish  end)assy 
despatched  to  Paris  ten  days  o       lortnight  ago; 
but  I  have  been  able  to  procure  no  evidence  of  the 
nature  of  his  errand,  beyond  the  assertions  of  the 
letter  writer.     I'pon  these  alone,  reiterated  indeed 
widi  great  confidence,  rests,   lor  the;   present,  the 
credit  due  to  all  his  other  comnnmications.     The 
pamphlet  of  which  he  s})enks,  has  been  written;  at 
least  in  [)ar*,  for  he  h;is  sent  to  lh(^  legation  some 
nf  the   printed   sheets,  whic^h  I  enclose,     it  is  said 
that   the    writer,    an    Fiiiglishman,    has    received, 
or  is  to   receive,  sixty  guineas  fi-oni    thi;  Span- 
ish embassy  j,  if  so,  1  should   prononnce  it  more 
than  the  pamjdilc^t  is  worth.     The   Spanish   am- 
bassador is  the  Duke  of  San  Carlos,  who  formerly 
represented  Spain  at  tlu^  court  of  Vienna,  where 
his  household  was  on  a  mnnilicent  scale,  as  here. 


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276 


RESIDENCE  AT  THE 


[1818. 


We  exchange  visits  and  reciprocate  other  civili- 
ties. 

"  In  addition  to  the  communications  of  the  letter 
writer,  I  have  been  waited  upon  by  a  member  of 
the  congress  of  Venezuela,  now  in  London.  He 
regards  a  rupture  between  the  United  States  and 
Spain  as  so  near,  that,  on  the  ground  of  his  ac- 
quaintance with  the  condition  and  resources  of 
Spanish  America,  he  came  to  tender  me  all  his  in- 
formation in  aid  of  our  cause.  I  said  the  United 
States  meditated  no  hostile  steps.  He  replied, 
that  Spain  did.  I  suggested  the  obvious  objections, 
unless  she  expected  co-operation  from  England; 
and  that  I  could  not  think  the  latter  meant  to  go 
to  war  with  us  without  cause.  He  met  the  objec- 
tions by  saying,  that  England  had  promised  no  co- 
operation, but  that  the  condition  of  Spain  was  des- 
perate ;  she  must  lose  her  colonies  if  things  con- 
tinued on  the  present  footing ;  the  only  hope  of 
saving  them,  rested  upon  her  being  able  to  bring 
England  by  some  means  or  other  to  her  assistance. 
That  she  counted  upon  the  jealousy  between  Eng- 
land and  the  United  States  on  the  ocean,  and  by 
going  to  war  licrself  with  the  latter,  the  course  of 
events  would  soon  draw  the  former  into  it,  what- 
ever she  might  say  at  iirst.    At  any  rate,  that  this 


[1818. 
:r  civili- 

tie  letter 
mber  of 
.on.    He 
ates  and 
3f  his  ac- 
ources  of 
all  bis  in- 
he  United 
[e  replied, 
objections, 
England; 

leant  to  go 
|t  the  objec- 
lised  no  co- 
[in  was  des- 
ibings  con- 
dy  hope  of 
[ic  to  bring 
assistance. 
;wcen  Eng- 
■an,  and  by 
[ic  course  of 
ito  it,  what- 
,tc,  that  this 


1818.] 


COURT  OF    LONDON, 


277 


was  a  game  of  chances  Spain  had  resolved  to  play, 
as,  at  the  worst,  it  could  only  accelerate  a  catas- 
trophe Otherwise  inevitable,  viz.  the  total  loss  of 
her  dominion  in  America.    This  Venezuelan,  al- 
though liable  to  be  warped  by  his  political  wishes, 
is  intelligent  and  cool-minded,  and  full  of  activity 
in  seeking  information  as  to  the  purposes  of  Spain. 
I  therefore  report  what  he  said,  although  he  refer- 
red to  no  specific  facts.     However  plausible  his 
way  of  reasoning,  it  is  not  sufficient  with  me  to 
overcome  weighter  reasons  opposed  to  it.    Hence, 
that  either  Spain  or  England  designs  to  strike  a 
hostile  blow  at  us,  I  am  not  able  at  present  to  be- 
lieve.   Still,  I  have  not  felt  at  liberty  to  be  altoge- 
ther passive  under  my  own   incrcduhty.     I  am 
taking  steps  of  precaution  from  which,  bo  the  issue 
what  it  may,  no  evil  can  arise.    I  have  written  to 
our  ministers  at  Paris  and  Madrid,  and  to  the  com- 
mander of  our  squadron  in  the  Mediterranean; 
not  expressing  myself  in  a  way  to  excite  alarm,  but 
watchfulness,    I  shall  continue  attentive  to  what 
passes,  and   should  any  new  or  more  distinctive 
grounds  be  laid  before  me,  adopt  such  other  mea- 
sures as  prudence  may  dictate,  hoping  those  aheady 
taken  may  have  your  approbation.    It  is  proper  I 
should  add,  that  there  has  l)een  no  open  departure 


f 


;r>t 


% 

>.f  -  -  ■ 


278 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


tr>m%i 


■V 


r     I 


is* 
r 


J 


i         'f        i 


whatever  in  the  EngHsh  cabinet  or  court  from 
a  frank  and  conciliatory  course  towards  us.  If 
any  thing  is  going  on,  it  is  profoundly  in  the 
dark." 

The  matter  of  the  above  letter,  points  to  one  of 
those  occurrences  which  belong  to  the  history  of 
a  public  mission,  and  serves  to  shed  light  on  inci- 
dents otherwise  not  so  well  understood.  It  was  easy 
to  believe  that  Spain  desired  a  rupture  between  the 
United  States  and  England,  and  that  those  in  her 
service  would  labour  in  all  ways  to  that  end ;  but 
it  was  not  to  be  believed,  that  she  would  go  to 
war  with  the  United  States  on  a  mere  speculation 
that  the  force  of  circumstances  might  draw  Eng- 
land into  it.  The  navy  of  the  United  States  was 
in  a  high  state  of  efficiency,  and  the  certainty  of 
its  immediate  co-operation  with  the  Spanish  colo- 
nies for  which  their  proximity  afforded  advan- 
tages, could  not  have  failed  to  have  set  before 
Spain  the  risks,  on  that  ground  alone,  of  seeking 
such  a  war.  That  England  would  rather  the 
Floridas  belonged  to  Spain  than  the  United  States, 
was  no  more  than  natural.  She  remembered  that 
the  treaty  of  Utrecht  had  prohibited  Spain  from 
transferring  any  of  her  colonial  possessions,  to 
other  powers ;  but  the  Congress  of  Vienna,  more 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


279 


recently,  had  been  silent  on  such  a  policy ;  and  Eng- 
land, a  party  to  that  Congress,  knew  as  well  as 
other  powers,  that  the  day  for  its  revival  had  gone 
by. 


May  27.  A  few  persons  desiring  to  see  a  monu- 
ment erected  to  Burns,  put  a  notice  in  one  of  the 
newspapers,  that  the  admirers  of  his  genius  would 
dine  to-day  at  the  City  of  London  tavern.  About 
two  hundred  assembled.  The  stewards  invited 
me,  as  a  guest.  The  Duke  of  York  was  in  the 
chair. 

The  leading  person  at  table  was  Mr.  Boswell, 
son  of  the  biographer  of  .Johnson,  and  a  member  of 
parliament.  He  made  a  neat  and  appropriate 
speech  on  the  genius  of  Burns,  urging  tlie  propriety 
of  erecting  a  monument  on  the  site  of  the  cottage 
where  he  was  born.  A  son  of  the  poet  was  present. 
On  "  Success  to  the  family  of  Burns"  being  given 
as  a  toast,  he  thanked  the  company  in  a  modest 
and  touching  manner.  The  punch  bowl  that  be- 
longed to  Burns,  and  of  which  it  is  known  he 
was  too  fond,  was  handed  round  the  table  as  a 
relic.  A  full  band  was  in  the  orchestra.  We  had 
a  great  deal  of  find  old  Scotch  music,  with  several 
of  Burns^s  songs,  and  a  good  one  written  for  the 


!| 


;  It  1 


Ill 


If 
rt  r^ 


U     I 


i  t 


\    '      i 


f  •! 
i 

ft 

K.: 

i  ■- 

-      '       ^ 

I  ! 


280 


RESIDENCE    AT  THE 


[1818. 


occasion  by  Mr.  Boswell.  The  Duke  of  York  was 
toasted,  with  a  compHmentary  allusion  to  the 
share  which,  as  commander  in  chief  of  the  Bri- 
tish army,  he  had  taken  in  improving  its  condition. 
He  returned  thanks,  adding  that  it  was  his  highest 
pride  to  merit  the  approbation  of  his  sovereign,  and 
good  will  of  his  fellow  subjects.  "  The  admirers  of 
Burns  in  the  United  States,''^  came  next  as  a  toast ; 
on  which  I  made  my  acknowledgments,  saying,  that 
my  countrymen  were  alive  to  the  charms  of  his 
poetry,  as  he  wrote  for  the  heart,  which  was  of  aU 
nations.  The  Duke  of  York  asked  me  if  we  made 
speeches  at  our  public  dinners,  as  they  were  forced 
to  do  in  England.  I  said,  not  hitherto ;  but  it  was 
a  custom  which  tended,  I  thought,  to  improve  the 
character  of  public  dinners,  by  introducing  excite- 
ments beyond  those  merely  of  the  bottle.  He  as- 
sented. We  had  other  speeches — short  ones ;  they 
would  otherwise,  all  must  agree,  lose  a  principal 
merit  for  such  occasions. 

Several  hundred  pounds  were  collected  towards 
the  monument.  Three  or  four  of  my  countrymen, 
accidently  in  London,  were  present,  and  marked  their 
admiration  of  the  genius  of  the  bard,  by  being 
contributors.    It  nitiy  serve,  as  a  single  instance, 


L818. 

iwas 
)   the 
J  Bri- 
iition. 
ighest 
rn,  and 
rers  of 
toast ; 
ig,  that 
of  his 
LS  of  all 
e  made 
e  forced 
t  it  was 
•ove  the 
excite- 
He  as- 
s;  they 
principal 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


281 


to  show  how  the  pocket  is  opened  at  public  dinners 
in  London. 

May  28.  Visited  the  British  Gallery,  in  Pall 
Mall,  with  tickets  obligingly  sent  to  nie  and  my 
family  by  the  Chancellor  ot"  the  exchequer.  The 
collection  of  paintings  is  very  choice,  being 
made  up  of  pieces  from  the  Itahan,  French, 
Dutch,  Spanish  and  Flemish  masters.  They  be- 
long to  persons  in  England  who  annually  send  spe- 
cimens from  their  private  collections  to  this  exhibi- 
tion for  the  gratification  of  the  public,  and  to  aid 
in  fostering  taste  in  this  branch  of  the  arts.  You 
wander  through  rooms  where  lumg  productions  on 
which  the  public  taste  of  diflbrent  ages  and  nations, 
had  put  the  seal  of  approbation. 

It  has  been  said  that  painters  can  flourish  only 
in  Roman  Catholic  coiuitrios.  Tluit  the  Scriptures 
have  ntforded  tlie  grwiuhist  subjects  lor  the  pencil, 
is  true.  In  Catholic  countries,  the  church  influ- 
ences larjielv  secular  ieehniTi  which  is  a  sufficient 
reason,  if  no  other  existed,  why  their  painters  so 
frequently  take  their  subjects  from  the  scriptures.  But 
they  have  not  confined  themselves  to  these ;  and  are 
not  the  same  subjects  open  to  the  pencil  in  Protestant 
countries  ?  The  very  variety  of  relinrions,  as  of  rha- 


1 1'- 


.'II 


\* 

.  Ill 

■  y 

■  1; 

1 

j.H. 

'   III 

'It 

i 

1^ 

,11 .1" 

0 

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4  '■«•    .'■ 

.'(ubw 

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1^ 


» 


f         I 


282 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


racter,  in  England,  will  tend  to  advance  her  in  the 
arts,  when  she  takes  her  stand  in  them.  She  has 
an  established  church,  with  every  species  of  dissent; 
a  powerful  aristocracy,  with  popular  forms  and 
practices  that,  in  some  respects,  x\thens  never 
equalled ;  a  king,  venerated  and  lampooned ;  more 
than  all,  an  amount  of  riches,  not  hereditary  merely, 
but  self-acquired  in  the  hands  of  individuals  in  every 
part  of  the  kingdom,  making  a  greater  number 
largely  independent  in  their  circumstances,  and 
giving  them,  consequently,  more  command  over 
their  time  and  inclinations,  thar  has  probably  ever 
before  been  known  among  the  same  number  of 
people,  existing  as  one  nation.  All  these  are  ma- 
terials for  the  arts  A  school  founded  in  such  a 
soil,  could  neither  be  formal,  nor  limited ;  manner- 
ism belongs  to  feelings  and  pursuits  more  circum- 
scribed. It  would  be  a  soil,  too,  for  patronage; 
not  by  a  few  nobles,  or  the  hand  of  an  amateur 
prince ;  but  diffused,  as  through  rich  republics,  all 
over  the  land. 

The  annual  exhibition  of  the  works  of  the  mas- 
ters, is  not  the  only  way  in  which  this  institution 
aims  at  advancing  the  fine  arts.  Its  governors 
and  patrons  purchase  the  productions  of  British 
artists,  where   merit  is  high.    It  was  so  that  Mr. 


[1818. 
r  ivi  the 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


283 


West's  picture  of  Christ  healing  the  Sick  was  pur- 
chased for  three  thousand  guineas.  It  is  the  pic- 
ture, the  fellow  to  which  was  presented  by  him  to 
the  hospital  at  Philadelphia.  There  needs  no  other 
proof  of  the  interest  the  venerable  artist  felt  in  the 
land  of  his  birth,  than  this  munificent  donation. 
He  contemplated  with  delight  the  growth  of  the 
arts  in  the  United  States;  he  had  studied  paint- 
ing as  carefully,  and  understood  its  rules  with  as 
just  a  discrimination,  as  any  artist  living ;  he  had 
opportunities  of  knowing  that  the  study  was  pur- 
sued with  both  zeal  and  judgment  in  the  country 
always  dear  to  him ;  he  had  seen  in  her  infancy 
every  presage  of  future  eminence,  and  to  aid  in 
stimulating  tendencies  so  noble,  was  one  of  the 
motives  to  his  generous  gift. 

June  5.  We  were  at  another  entertainment  at 
Carlton  House  on  Tuesday  e^  rung,  and  to-day,  I 
attended  the  levee.  At  the  latter  Lord  Castlereagh 
said  to  me,  that  his  constant  engagements  in  parlia- 
ment had  prevented  his  asking  an  interview  with 
me  during  the  past  fortnight  as  he  had  wished. 
Its  dissolution  was  at  hand,  he  added,  immediately 
after  which  he  would  fix  a  time  for  our  meeting. 


i' 


if 


I       I 


r*-^^-" 


It 


n-'* 


i",! 


If .. 

■!l       1 


\ 


284  RESIDENCE    AT    THE  [1818 

June  6.  Dined  at  Mr.  Canning's,  at  his  resi- 
dence, Glouces.tcr-lodgc,  two  miles  from  town. 
We  had  exchanged  visits  by  cards.  The  latter 
periods  of  my  mission,  dm'ing  which  he  was  secre- 
tary for  foreign  affairs,  bronght  me  into  much  intcr- 
com-se  with  him,  personal  and  official;  but  this 
was  the  first  time  I  had  met  him,  except  at  levees 
and  drawing  rooms.  To  the  space  he  filled  in 
public  estimation,  I  could  be  no  stranger.  He  re- 
ceived his  guests  cordially,  giving  his  hand.  The 
grounds  about  his  house  were  not  extensive,  but 
very  neat,  and  shut  in  by  trees.  All  was  seclusion, 
the  moment  the  gates  closed ;  a  common  beauty  in 
the  villas  near  TiOndon.  The  drawing  rooms 
opened  on  a  portico,  from  which  you  walked  out 
upon  one  of  those  smoothly-shaven  lawns  which 
Johnson,  speaking  of  Pope's  poetry,  likens  to  velvet; 
and  we  had  the  soft  twilight,  which  at  this  season 
lasts  so  long,  in  England,  and  sets  off  verdure  to 
such  advantage.  "You  see,"  said  Mr.  Canning, 
"how  we  prize  your  plants,"  pointing  to  some 
rhododendrons ;  "  you  must  be  fond  of  horticulture 
in  the  United  States,  from  the  specimens  we  have 
of  your  flowers."  I  said  it  was  a  growing  taste  with 
us,  but  that  we  had  much  to  do  before  we  should 


1818.] 


COURT   OF   LONDON* 


285 


equal  England  in  this  respect.  "And  we  in  Eng- 
land," he  said,  "  are  behind  Holland,  and  I  believe 
France,  in  flowers." 

Dinner  was  soon  announced.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Canning,  the  Marquis  and  Marchioness  of  Stafford, 
Lady  Elizabeth  Levison  Gower,  the  Spanish  am- 
bassador and  his  duchess,  the  Neapolitan  minister 
and  his  countess,  my  wife,  Mr.  Chinncry,  and  some 
members  of  Mr.  Canning's  family  made  the  party. 
Mr.  Canning  sat  at  the  head.  His  quick  eye  was 
all  round  the  table;  his  aim,  to  draw  out  others, 
rather  than  converse  himself.  Occasionally,  he 
had  touches  of  pleasantry.  He  asked  for  Mr. 
Pinkney,  of  Maryland,  formerly  minister,  from  the 
United  States.  "  I  once,"  said  he,  "  had  a  skir- 
mish with  him  about  language,  but  he  worsted  me ; 
I  said  there  was  no  such  word  as  influential,  ex- 
cept in  America,  but  he  convinced  me  that  it  was 
originally  carried  over  from  England."  Lord  Staf- 
ford here  remarked,  that  it  was  so  good  a  word 
they  ought  to  bring  it  back.  "Yes,"  said  Mr. 
Canning,  "  it  is  a  very  good  word,  and  I  know  no 
reason  why  it  should  have  remained  in  America, 
but  that  we  lost  the  thing.'*'' 

A  library  was  attached  to  the  suite  of  rooms. 
When  we  came  out  from  dinner,  some  of  the  com- 


m 


286 


KESIDENCE   AT   THE 


[1818. 


i' 


Alt   * 


'1       I 


•i.)..' 


pany  found  pastime  in  turning  over  the  leaves  of 
caricatures,  bound  up  in  large  volumes.  They 
went  back  to  the  French  revolutionary  period. 
Kings,  princes,  cabinet  ministers,  members  of  par- 
liament, every  body,  figured  in  them ;  and  all  poH- 
tical  events.  It  w  as  a  kind  of  history  of  England, 
in  caricature,  for  five  and  twenty  years;  and  need 
I  add,  that  our  accomplished  host  was  on  many  a 
page !  He  stood  by.  Now  and  then  he  threw  in 
a  word,  giving  new  point  to  the  scenes.  It  is 
among  the  contradictions  of  the  English,  that,  shy 
and  sensitive  as  the  higher  classes  in  many  res- 
pects are,  perhaps  beyond  any  other  people,  they 
nevertheless  seem  indifferent  to  these  kind  of 
attacks.  Their  public  men  also,  exclude  politics 
from  private  life,  and  ycu  often  meet  with  persons 
of  opposite  parties  mingling  together  as  if  nothing 
divided  them. 

He  asked  who  were  our  favourite  authors  in 
the  United  States.  The  English,  I  said.  But 
among  the  English — Johnson,  Dryden,  Addison, 
or  Swift?  Opinions  varied,  I  said;  Johnson  had 
his  admirers ;  but  I  thought,  that  after  five  and 
twenty,  our  readers  for  the  most  part  came  round 
to  the  others.  They  were  his  favourites,  he  said. 
Next  he  asked,  is  not  Junius  liked  ?     Generally  he 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


287 


was,  I  said ;  I  bad  hoard  of  a  young  gentleman  in 
Philadelphia,  who  transcribed  all  his  letters,  in  the 
hope  of  catching  his  style.  He  made  no  comment : 
but  I  thought  I  saw  that  he  would  not  be  disposed 
to  recommend  a  young  friend  to  take  that  trouble. 
From  the  Spanish  ambassador  I  had  every  civility, 
notwithstanding  the  pamphlet. 

So,  briefly,  was  my  first  dinner  at  Mr.  Canning's. 
Many  and  agreeable  ones  followed.  Sir  James 
Macintosh  said  of  him  in  debate,  that  he  had  incor- 
porated in  his  mind  all  the  elegance  and  wisdom  of 
ancient  literature.  It  was  a  high  tribute  from  a 
political  opponent  and  competent  judge.  Both 
were  first  rate  men,  as  well  by  native  endowments 
as  the  most  elaborate  cultivation,  and  both  disci- 
plined by  an  advantageous  intermixture  in  great 
political  and  social  scenes ;  Macintosh,  universal 
and  profound ;  Canning,  making  every  thing  bend 
to  parliamentary  supremacy;  the  one,  delivering 
speeches  in  the  House  of  Commons  for  the  philoso- 
pher and  statesman  to  reflect  upon ;  the  other,  win- 
ning in  that  arena,  daily  victories.  Both  had 
equal  powers  to  charm  in  society ;  the  one  various 
and  instructive ;  the  other  intuitive  and  brilliant ; 
Macintosh,  by  his  elementary  turn,  removed  from 
all  collisions ;  Canning,  sarcastic  as  well  as  logical 


ri    :'. 


J      ■*  ■ 


f^= 


288  RESIDENCE    AT    THE  [1818. 

in  debate,  and  sometimes  also  allowing  his  official 
pen  to  trespass  in  the  former  field ;  but  in  pri- 
vate circles,  bland,  courteous  and  yielding.  Let 
me  add,  that  both  were  self-made  men ;  enjoying, 
by  this  title,  the  highest  political  consideration  and 
social  esteem  in  the  most  powerful  and  bril- 
liant circles,  hereditary  and  otherwise,  of  the  Bri- 
tish empire. 

June  7.  Lord  Erskine  called  upon  me,  accord- 
ing to  promise.  First  he  spoke  of  the  bill  he  had 
lately  brought  into  the  House  of  Lords  to  prevent 
arrest  in  cases  of  libel  until  after  indictment  found, 
regretting  its  loss. 

He  touched  on  other  topics.  I  pass  by  all,  to 
come  to  what  he  said  of  liurke.  My  boys  being 
in  the  room,  he  asked  if  I  had  found  a  good  school 
for  them.  I  said  they  were  at  present  with  Mr. 
Foothead,  in  my  neighbourhood.  You  are  lucky, 
he'  said,  if  Mr.  Burke's  recommendation  goes  for 
any  thing,  for  he  thought  well  of  him  as  a  teacher 
of  the  classics.  What  a  prodigy  Burke  was,  he 
exclaimed.  He  came  to  see  me  not  long  before  he 
died.  I  then  lived  on  Hampstead  hill.  "  Come 
Erskinc^''^  said  he,  holding  out  his  hand,  "  Id  us  for- 
get all ;  I  shall  soo?i  quit  this  stnijrc,  and  wish  to  die 


1818. 

official 
in  pri- 
.  Let 
joying, 
on  and 
d  bril- 
he  Bri- 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


289 


accord- 
1  he  had 
I  prevent 
at  found, 

►y  all,  to 
>ys  being 
id  school 
ith  Mr. 
e  lucky, 
goes  for 
teacher 
was,  he 
lefore  he 
"  Come 
imfor- 
\ish  to  die 


in  peace  with  every  body,  especially  you.''''  I  recipro- 
cated the  sentiment,  and  we  took  a  turn  round  the 
grounds.  Suddenly,  he  stopped ;  an  extensive  pros- 
pect broke  upon  him.  He  stood  as  if  rapt  in 
thought ;  gazing  on  the  gilded  scenery  of  the  sky 
as  the  sun  was  setting,  "  Ah,  Erskine,^^  he  exclaim- 
ed, pointing  towards  it,  "  you  cannot  spoil  that,  be- 
cause you  cannot  reacfi  it  ;  it  would  otherwise  go  ; 
yes,  the  firmament  itself- — you  and  your  reformers 
would  tear  it  all  downJ*''  I  was  pleased  with  tliis 
friendly  familiarity,  and  we  went  into  the  house 
where  kind  feelings  between  lis  were  further  im- 
proved. A  short  time  afterwards  he  wrote  that 
attack  upon  the  Duke  of  Devonshire,  Fox  and  my- 
self, which  flew  all  over  England,  and  perhaps  the 
United  States  too.  All  this  his  lordship  told  in  the 
best  manner,  and  with  the  intonations  of  elo- 
quence. In  my  form  of  repeating  it,  I  cannot  do 
him  justice. 

Desiring  to  hear  something  of  Burke's  delivery 
from  so  high  a  source,  I  asked  him  about  it.  It 
was  execrable,  said  he.  I  was  in  the  House  of 
Commons  when  he  made  his  great  speech  on 
American  concihation,  the  greatest  he  ever  made ; 
but  he  drove  every  body  away.  I  wanted  to  go 
out  with  the  rest,  but  was  near  him,  and  afraid  to 
37 


11. 


iW  >.»«•■•  ■'^ 


290 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


'r  ^' 

^ 

i    .   ■ 

1? 

! 

*L:     ' 

^       ', 

( 

^ 

h- 

W. 

•  r 

k« 


get  up;  so  I  squeezed  myself  down^  and  crawled  un- 
der the  benches  like  a  dog,  until  I  got  to  the  door 
without  his  seeing  me,  rejoicing  in  my  escape. 
Next  day  I  went  down  to  the  Isle  of  Wight. 
When  the  speech  followed  me  there,  I  read  it  over 
and  over  again  ;  I  could  think  of  nothing  else ;  I 
carried  it  about  me  and  thumbed  it  until  it  got  like 
wadding  for  my  gun.  Here  he  broke  out  with  a 
quotation  from  the  passage  beginning,  "  htit  what, 
says  the  financier,  is  peace  without  money, ^''  which 
he  gave  with  a  fervour  showing  how  he  felt  it. 
He  said  that  he  was  in  the  house  when  he  threw 
a  dagger  on  the  floor,  in  his  speech  on  the  French 
revolution,  and  it  "  had  like  to  have  hit  my  fooC 
It  was  a  sad  failure,  he  added,  but  Burke  could 
bear  it. 

He  sat  upwards  of  an  hour,  leaving  me  to  re- 
gret his  departure.  His  colloquial  eloquence  is 
not  less  than  his  forensic,  though  in  so  differ- 
ent a  way. 


t 


[1818. 

wled  un- 
the  door 
J  escape. 
f  Wight, 
id  it  over 
(T  else;  1 
it,  got  like 
ut  with  a 
"  hut  what, 
3W,"  which 
he  felt  it. 
n  he  threw 
the  French 
'i  my  foot'' 
Jurke  could 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


291 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

DISSOLUTION  OF  PARLIAMENT.       REVENUE  AND  RESOUR- 
CES OF  ENGLAND.       INTERVIEW    WITH  LORD   CASTLE- 

REAGH IMPRESSMENT THE     SLAVE     TRADE COiM- 

ftlERCIAL    CONVENTION    OF    1815.       DINNER    AT    THE 

MARQ,uis    OF    Stafford's.       further    interview 

WITH  lord  CASTLEREAGH  ON  IMPRESSMENT,  AND 
THE  SLAVE  TRADE.  THE  HUSTINGS  AT  COVENT 
GARDEN.  DINNER  AT  THE  CHANCELLOR  OF  THE  EX- 
CHEQUER'S. PARTY  AT  THE  MARCHIONESS  OF  HERE- 
FORD'S  AT  CARLTON  HOUSE. 


June  10.  Parliament  was  dissolved  by  the  Prince 
Regent  in  person.  This  is  regarded  as  one  of  the 
most  imposing  public  ceremonies  in  England.  It 
derives  ihis  character,  in  part,  from  the  manner  in 
which  the  sovereign  goes  to  parliament. 

In  all  ages,  the  horse  has  helped  to  swell  the 
pomp  of  public  processions — at  triumphal  celebra- 
tions in  Republics,  as  in  ministering  to  the  page- 


•  li 


-li 


292 


RESIDENCE    AT   THE 


[1818. 


antry  of  kings.  Dryden  renders  Virgil's  "  hcllator 
eguiis,'*''  led  in  the  train  of  Pallas's  funeral,  "Me  steed 
of  state.''''  On  this  occasion,  the  carriage  of  the 
Prince  Regent  was  drawn  by  eight  horses,  used 
only  for  this  ceremony.  They  were  of  beautiful 
form  and  richly  caparisoned ; 


It 

» ■  - 


i( 


With  golden  bits  adorned  and  purple  reins." 


L,. 

I, 


1  * 


i 


The  Prince  Regent  was  perceptible  to  the  gaziiT? 
crowds,  through  the  glass  pannels  of  this  splendid 
vehicle  of  royalty.  There  sat  with  him  the  Duke 
of  Montrose,  master  of  the  horse,  and  Lord  Am- 
herst, as  lord  in  waiting.  Even  in  the  insignia 
and  decorations  of  a  state  carriage,  England  does 
not  forget  the  field  of  her  power.  Conspicuously 
upon  this  was  a  figure  of  Neptune,  in  massive 
gilding.  Next  in  the  procession,  came  four 
carriages  and  six.  This  formed  the  royal  train. 
It  moved  from  St.  James's  palace,  through  the 
Park,  and  thence  came  out  under  the  archway 
of  the  Horse  Guards.  My  carriage  got  to  that 
point  and  stopped  with  others,  as  the  whole 
slowly  turned  into  the  street.  The  sight  was  gor- 
geous— windows,  balconies,  house-tops,  were  lined. 
It  was  the  spot  where  like  crowds  had  witnessed 


[1818. 

'  hcllatoi 
the  steed 
3  of  the 
3es,  used 
beautiful 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


293 


ins. 


the  gazuw, 
is  splendid 
1  the  Duke 
Lord  Am- 
lie  insignia 
(Tland  does 
ippicuously 
lin  massive 
Icame    four 
•oyal  train, 
trough  the 
le  archway 
got  to  that 
the    whole 
l^t  was  gor- 
[,wcre  Uncd. 
,d  witnessed 


the  execution  of  Charles  the  First ;  the  historical 
association  thus  increasing  the  interest  of  the  spec- 
tacle. When  the  train  reached  the  end  of  Parlia- 
ment street,  the  number  of  equipages  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Westminster  Abbey  belonging  to  the 
nobility  and  others,  was  immense.  All  were  in 
rows  and  glittered  in  the  sun.  The  universal  beauty 
of  the  horses,  for  which  the  English  are  so  cele- 
brated, the  completeness  of  every  equipage,  the 
rich  liveries  of  the  numerous  servants,  the  turrets 
of  the  ancient  Abbey,  the  vast  multitude — altogether 
presented  a  scene  of  great  animation  and  brilliancy. 
The  royal  carriage  drew  up  before  the  entrance 
to  the  House  of  Lords,  a  jrroom  holdinjr  each  bridle 
and  the  horses  champing  the  *  foaming  gold.'  The 
Prince  Regent  on  alighting,  was  greeted  with  long 
shouts. 

The  ceremony  of  the  dissolution,  took  place  in 
the  House  of  Lords.  Close  in  front  of  the  throne, 
a  place  was  set  apart  for  the  foreign  ambassadors 
and  ministers,  all  of  whom  attended  in  their  na- 
tional costumes.  The  chamber,  when  I  arrived,  was 
filled  with  peers  and  peeresses,  the  former  wearing 
robes  of  scarlet  and  ermine.  In  a  httle  while  the 
Prince  Regent  entered,  at  which  moment  a  salute 
of  cannon  was  heard.    A  procession,  formed  by  a 


294 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


•  <.{ 


t 


r  '  I 


IIT: 


e 


•wf^  ^    : 


i    f 


,.  ^ 


portion  of  his  cabinet  ministers,  preceded  him,  the 
premier,  Lord  Liverpool,  going  first  and  carrying 
the  sword  of  state.    The  Prince  took  his  seat  upon 
the  throne.     In  a  few  minutes,  doors  opened  at 
the  extremity  of  the  chamber,  and  the  Commons 
entered,  the  speaker  at  their  head.    They  stopped 
at  a  barrier,  from  which  the  speaker  commenced 
his  address  to  the  throne.     It  recapitulated  the 
important  business  of  the  session,  gave  a  promi- 
nent place  to  the  subject  of  income  and  expendi- 
ture, saying,  that  although  a  heavy  pressure  con- 
tinued upon  the  finances,  the  revenue  was  increas- 
ing; and  concluded  with  praying  the  royal  assent 
to  a  bill  of  supply  which  the  House  brought  up, 
the  last  of  a  series  that  had  been  passed.    The 
title  of  the  bill  was  read;  on  which  a  clerk  of  par- 
liament exclaimed,  "  Le  roy  rcmercic  ses  loyal  siib- 
jeds,  acccptc  Icur  benevolence  ct  aussi  le  veut,^^     Tlie 
titles  of  other  bills  were  successively  read,  and  the 
royal  assent  given  by  the  same  officer  pronouncing 
the  words,  "  Le  roy  le  veiit^ 

The  Prince,  who  had  not  yet  spoken,  now  ad- 
dressed both  houses.  He  said,  that  there  had 
been  no  alteration  in  the  state  of  the  king's  health; 
that  he  continued  to  receive  from  foreign  powers, 
assurances  of  friendly  dispositions,  on  which  he 


[1818. 

him,  the 
carrying 
seat  upon 
pened  at 
I^ommons 
y  stopped 
►mmenced 
ilated  the 
3  a  promi- 
d  expendi- 
issure  con- 
is  increas- 
3yal  assent 
fought  up, 
5sed.    The 
erk  of  par- 
loyal  siih- 
eiitr    The 
,d,  and  the 
Ironouncing 


1818.] 


COURT    OF   LONDON. 


295 


turned  with  a  manner  appropriate  towards  the  diplo- 
matic corps ;  he  thanked  the  House  of  Commons 
for  the  supphes  they  had  granted;  he  informed 
both  houses  of  his  intention  to  dissolve  the  present, 
and  call  a  new  parliament,  in  making  which  com- 
munication he  could  not,  he  said,  refrain  from  ad- 
verting to  the  great  changes  that  had  occurred 
since  he  first  met  them  in  that  chamber.  Then, 
the  dominion  of  Bonaparte,  whom  he  spoke  of  as 
the  "  common  encmy^''  had  been  so  widely  extended, 
that  longer  resistance  to  his  power  was  by  many 
deemed  hopeless;  but  that  by  the  unexampled  ex- 
ertions of  Britain,  in  co-operation  with  other  coun- 
tries, Europe  had  been  delivered  from  his  oppres- 
sion, and  a  contest  the  most  eventful  and  san- 
guinary known  for  centuries,  terminated  with 
unparalleled  success  and  glory.  These  were  the 
main  points  of  the  speech.  When  it  was  ended, 
the  lord  chaiicellor  rose  from  the  woolsack,  and 
said,  that  it  was  the  will  and  pleasure  of  the  Prince 
Regent,  acting  in  the  name  of  the  king,  that  the 
parliament  be  dissolved ;  and  he  pronounced  it  to 
be  dissolved  accordingly. 

The  Prince  remained  seated  whilst  delivering 
his  speech,  and  wore  a  hat.  The  peers  and  com- 
mons stood,  and  were  uncovered.    Mr.  Canning, 


tuiijA..-^ 


296 


RESIDENCE  AT   THE 


[1818. 


'1 


1 

^   ^           n 

\ 

1       f 

•f 

It- 

1*   -. 

:     1.  ^ 

■i^'- 


I 


in  a  speech  to  his  constituents,  described  the  Brit- 
ish  constitution,  as   "  a  monarchy,  intended  lo  be 
checked  by  two  assenibhes,  one  hereditary,  inde- 
pendent ahke  of  crow  n  and  people ;   the  other  elec- 
tive, springing   from    the   people;   but,"  said  he, 
"  there  are  those  who  argue  as  if  it  were  originally 
a  democracy,  merely  inlaid  with  a  peerage,  and 
topped  with  a  crown.''''     This  passage  gives,  in  a 
few  words,  the  opposite  theories  of  antiquarians  on 
the  origin  of  the  British  constitution ;  as  to  which 
the  passing  remark  may  be  made,  that  at  least  the 
external  ceremonies  of  government,  point  to  a  regal, 
rather  than  popular  root.     They  are  strikingly  so 
at  a  coronation,  as  at  the  dissolution  of  parliament. 
Take  another  incident  at  the  latter,  in  addition  to 
the  wearing  of  the  hat.     The  clerk,  before  reading 
the  title  to  each  bill,   made  a   reverence  to  the 
throne;  and  another,  on  laying  the  bill  down  upon 
the  table.     On  receiving  the  nod  of  royal  assent, 
he  turned  towards  the  Commons,  gave  them  a  look, 
and  barely  said,  without  any  reverence,  Le  roi  le 
vent. 

The  scene  would  have  been  more  imposing,  had 
the  chamber  been  better.  It  is  not  merely  defi- 
cient 'in  architectural  form,  but  in  space.  The 
Commons  stood  in  a  confused  heap,  pressing  one 


[1818. 

the  Brit- 

ded  10  be 
iry,  inde- 
)ther  elec- 
'  said  be, 
originally 
3rage^  and 
rives,  in  a 
^uarianson 
IS  to  wbich 
at  least  the 
it  to  a  regal, 
itrikingly  so 
parliament, 
addition  to 
■ore  reading 
(nee  to  the 
down  upon 
oyal  assent, 
jhem  a  look, 
;e,  Le  roile 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


297 


upon  another.  Their  own  room  below,  is  even 
inferior  in  appearance,  and  alike  inconveniently 
small.  Both  may  have  answered  their  original 
uses  centuries  ago,  one  as  a  banqueting  room, 
the  other  as  a  chapel  to  a  palace;  but  are  un- 
suited  to  the  present  accommodation  of  such  a 
body  as  the  British  parliament.  The  mode  of 
giving  the  royal  assent  to  bills,  I  had  read  in 
books;  yet,  it  sounded  strangely  in  my  ears  for 
the  first  time,  as  a  fact.  Blackstone  remarks  that 
these  old  words  serve  as  a  memento,  that  the 
liberties  of  England  were  once  destroyed  by 
foreign  force,  and  may  be  again,  but  for  vigilance. 
The  remark  is  a  strained  one,  in  this  connexion. 
England  balanced  the  account  of  warlike  exploits 
with  France,  in  the  days  of  her  Edwards  and 
Henries ;  and  her  own  sovereign  at  las^  ^ave  up 
his  titular  claim  to  be  king  of  France.  Hence  it 
would  seem,  that  this  little  badge  of  the  Norman 
conquest,  might  now  be  allowed  to  drop  off  too. 
It  was  discontinued  under  the  protectorate  of 
Cromwell,  the  form  in  his  time  being,  "  the  Lord 
Protector  doth  consent,''^  His  words  of  acknowledg- 
ment for  bills  of  supply  were,  "  understanding  it 
hath  been  the  practice  of  those  who  have  been  chief 
^mernorsj  to  acknowledge^  with  thanks  to  the  com- 
38 


i.;iB»i*'»-**' 


I  ; 


I      ' 


t 


i 

* 

f  ' 

•j. 

«C 

1 

( 

w. 

t' 

r^r 

Wlfi.'.-! 

fjj!r»    , 

"T 

fe'ff 

^1*.   . 

'*|.^ 

■i' 


'lil 


..  1 


'^■'  »■. 


298 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


mons,  their  care  and  regard  for  the  public^  I  do  very 
heartily  and  thankfully  acknowledge  their  kindness 
therein.^''  When  the  commonwealth  ended,  the 
foreign  jargon  revived. 

The  speaker  in  his  address,  stated  that  the  reve- 
nue was  increasing.     I  cannot  pass  this  subject  by. 
The  income  for  the  year,  was  ffty-one  millions  of 
pounds  sterling.    The  largest  item  was  from  the 
excise,  which  yielded  upwards  of  twenty-one  mil- 
lions.    The  customs  stood  next,  and  gave  upwards 
of  eleven  milHons.     The  assessed  and  land  taxes, 
third;  from  which  eight  millions  were  obtained; 
the  stamps  fourth,  which  produced  seven  millions. 
The  remainder  was  from  the  post  office  and  mis- 
cellaneous sources.    Large  as  this  sum  may  appear 
for  the  pre  ^ace  of  one  year's  taxes,  it  is  less,  by 
more  than  twenty  millions,  than  was  raised  two 
years  ago,  the  property  tax  and  certain  war  duties 
being  then  in  force.    It  may  safely  be  affirmed, 
that  no  nation,  ancient  or  modern,  of  the  same 
population,  has  ever  before  paid  so  much  under  the 
regular  operation  of  tax  laws.    Of  the  excise,  I 
understand  that  the  whole  amount  due  for  the  year 
has  actually  been  paid  in,   except  a  fraction  of 
about  five  thousand  pounds,  part  of  which  it  is  be- 
lieved will  be  recovered.    So  exceedingly  small  a 
deficiency  on  a  basis  of  twenty-one  millions,  mani- 


[1818. 


1818.] 


COURT  OF   LONDON, 


299 


'  do  very 
kindness 
ded,  the 

the  reve- 
iibject  by. 
lillions  of 

from  the 
y-one  mil- 
e  upwards 
land  taxes, 

obtained; 
jn  millions. 
:e  and  mis- 

lay  appear 

is  less,  by 
Iraised  two 

war  duties 

»e  affirmed, 
If  the  same 

jh  under  the 

^he  excise,  1 
for  the  year 

fraction  of 
ich  it  is  be- 
igly  small  a 
llions,  mani- 


fests an  extraordinary  ability  on  the  part  of  the 
community  at  large,  to  meet  with  punctuality  the 
demands  of  the  government,  under  this  branch  of 
internal  taxation.  Besides  the  fifty-one  millions, 
which  make  up  the  national  taxes  proper,  for 
Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  the  sums  levied  on  ac- 
count of  poor  rates  for  England  during  the  year, 
have  amounted  to  nine  millions. 

The  exports  from  the  kingdom  for  the  same 
time,  amounted,  in  value,  to  fifty-three  millions  of 
pounds  sterling.  The  manufactures  of  the  United 
Kingdom,  constituted  four-fifths  of  this  sum.  Ac- 
tual value  is  here  meant,  as  contradistinguished 
from  oflicial ;  the  latter  assuming  a  certain  stand- 
ard of  price,  fixed  more  than  a  century  ago,  and 
no  longer  applicable  as  a  measure  of  value.  The 
imports  amounted  to  thirty-four  millions;  consi- 
derably less  therefore  than  the  value  of  manufac- 
tured articles  exported. 

Expenditure  for  the  year,  has  been  about  the 
same  as  income,  and  in  its  great  branches,  may  be 
classed  thus:  For  interest  on  the  public  debt, 
twenty-nine  millions.  For  the  army,  nine  millions ; 
the  military  force  on  the  present  peace  establish- 
ment, amounting  to  about  a  hundred  thousand  men. 
For  the  navy,  seven  millions ;  the  peace  establish- 


|l,:'t.4«l  «.••"'■ 


300 


RESIDENCE    AT   THE 


[1818. 


»  I 


■tt,'        ■'    :     .      'VI:  I  '■ 
%■    ■ 

I> 
♦    . 


rf.ni 


-»  ■(..,■ 


^^'1 


*;'> 
•*.^;:<' 


merit  of  that  arm  being  one  hundred  and  thirty 
ships,  twenty  thousand  seamen,  and  six  thousand 
marines.  For  the  ordnance,  one  million.  The 
civil  list,  and  miscellaneous  items  absorb  the  resi- 
due. In  statements,  whether  of  British  income  or 
expenditure,  I  observe,  that  fractions  of  a  million 
or  two,  seem  to  be  unconsidered.  They  are  scarce- 
ly understood  but  by  those  who  will  be  at  the  pains 
of  t^'icing  them  amidst  the  rubbish  of  accounts, 
and  not  always  then. 

As  to  the  debt,  what  shall  I  say  ?  If  I  specify 
any  sum,  I  may,  unconsciously,  commit  a  fractional 
error  of  fifty  millions !  To  find  out  precisely  what 
it  is,  seems  to  baffle  inquiry.  Dr.  Hamilton  in  his 
work  on  this  subject,  states  a  curious  fact.  He 
says,  that  in  an  account  of  the  public  debt  present- 
ed to  the  House  of  Commons  in  1799,  it  was  found 
impossible  to  ascertain  the  sums  raised  at  different 
periods  which  created  the  funds  existing  prior  to 
the  thirty-third  year  of  George  the  Third.  So  they 
have  a  saying  in  Amsterdam,  that  when  their 
grand  town-house  was  completed  a  century  or  two 
ago,  the  bills  were  all  destroyed,  that  the  econo- 
nomical  prudence  of  the  Dutch  in  after  ages  might 
not  be  pained  by  the  authentic  knowledge  of  their 
amount;  and  that  no  one  now  knows  what  the 


[1818. 

I  thirty 
lousand 
1.    The 
the  resi- 
Lcome  or 
1  milhon 
•e  scarce- 
,  the  pains 
accounts, 

f  I  specify 
I  fractional 
wisely  what 
lilton  in  his 
fact.    He 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


301 


d. 

when  their 

itury  or  two 
the  econo- 
ages  miglit 

[dge  of  their 
s  what  the 


building  cost.     The  above  candid  avowal  of  igno- 
rance as  to  the  national  debt  of  England  where  all 
official   means  of  information  were  at  command, 
may  well  excuse,  as  the  learned  author  referred  to 
remarks,  a  private  inquirer   if  his  statements  be 
im perfect ;  but  I  will  set  down  the  debt  at  eight 
HUNDRED   MILLIONS.     This,    as   an   absolute    sum, 
strikes  the  world  as  enormous.     It  loses  that  cha- 
racter when  viewed  in  connexion  with  the  resour- 
ces of  Great  Britain,  the  latter  having  increased 
in  a  ratio  greater  than  her  debt;  a  position  sus- 
ceptible   of   demonstration.      It    may   be    proof 
enough,  that,  in  the  face  of  this  debt,  her  govern- 
ment could  at  any  moment  borrow  from  British 
capitalists  fresh  sums  larger  than  were  ever  bor- 
rowed before ;    or  than  could  be   raised   by  the 
united  exertions  of  all  the  governments  of  Europe. 
Credit  so  unbounded,  can  rest  only  upon  the  known 
extent  and   solidity  of  her   resources ;  upon  her 
agricultural,  manufacturing  and  commercial  riches; 
the  first  coming  from  her  highly  cultivated  soil  and 
its  exhaustless  mines,  not  of  gold  and  silver,  but 
iron   and   coal,   forever    profitably   worked;    the 
second,  from  the  various  and  universal  labour  be- 
stowed on  raw  materials,  which  bring  into  play  all 
the  industry  of  her  people,  suffering  none  to  be 


«:;;«•*'••-'* 


302 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


ITT'   '     H 


:i 
I' 


t 


1 


'i 

<•*.;!* 


lost  for  want  of  objects;  the  third,  from  the  policy 
of  her  navigation  laws,  and  those  of  trade,  followed 
up  for  ages,  which  enable  her  to  send  to  every  part 
of  the  globe  the  products  of  this  vast  and  diversi- 
fied industry,  after  supplying  all  her  own  wants. 
This  system  of  navigation  and  trade,  is  greatly  sus- 
tained by  a  colonial  empire  of  gigantic  size,  that 
perpetually  increases  the  demand  for  her  manufac- 
tures, and  favours  the  monopoly  of  her  tonnage. 

These  are  the  grand  and  visible  foundations  of 
her  incalculable  riches,  and  corresponding  credit. 
Both  seem  to  be  incessantly  augmenting.  It  is 
remarkable,  that  she  extends  both  in  the  midst  of 
wars,  however  prolonged  and  sanguinary.  What 
cripples  the  resources  of  other  nations,  serves  but 
to  invigorate  and  multiply  hers.  Not  long  ago  I 
went  to  Guildhall,  to  witness  the  sittings  of  the 
King's  Berch,  after  term  time.  The  court  room 
was  so  full,  that  I  could  hear  or  see  little,  and  soon 
left  it;  but  I  was  compensated  by  loitering  among 
the  monuments  in  the  hall  close  by.  The  inscrip- 
tion on  Lord  Chatham's  drew  my  attention  most, 
because  Americans  hang  with  reverence  on  his 
name,  and  because  of  the  inscription  itself.  It 
dwells  upon  the  services  he  rendered  his  country, 
by  "  UNITING  Commerce  with,  and  making  it  flour- 


[1818. 

e  policy 

followed 

ery  part 

I  diversi- 

n  wants. 

eatly  sus- 

size,  that 

manufac- 

onnage. 

idations  of 

ing  credit. 

ing.    It  is 

he  midst  of 

ry.    What 
serves  but 
long  ago  1 
ings  of  the 
court  room 
le,  and  soon 
[ring  among 
'ho  inscrip- 
;ntion  most, 
;nce  on  his 
itself.    It 
[his  country, 

[G  IT  FLOITB- 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON, 


303 


isH  DURING  War."     Such  was  his  title  to  fame, 
recorded  on  the  marble !  Other  nations  should  look 
at  it.     War,  by  creating  new  markets,  gives  a 
stimulus  to  industry,  calls  out  capital,  and  may  in- 
crease not  merely  the  fictitious  but  positive  wealth 
of  the  country  carrying  it  on,  where  the  country 
is  powerful  and  not  the  seat  of  war.     Moscow 
may  be  burned,  Vienna,  Berlin, Paris,  sacked;  but 
it  is  always,  said  Franklin,  peace  in  London.   The 
British  moralist  may  be  slow  to  think,  that  it  is 
during  war  that  the  riches  and  power  of  Britain 
are  most  advanced;  but  it  is  the  law  of  her  insu- 
lar   situation   and    maritime    ascendancy.      The 
political  economist  may  strive  to  reason  it  down, 
but  facts  confound  him.     It  has  been  signally  con- 
firmed, since  engraven  on  the  monument  of  Lord 
Chatham.     The   Prince   Regent   pronounced  the 
contest   with  Bonaparte,   the   most  eventful  and 
sanguinary  known  for  centuries;  yet,  at  its  ter- 
mination, the  speaker  of  the  House  of  Conmions 
declared,   whilst    the    representatives   of  foreign 
nations  stood  listening,  that   the    revenues   of 
Britain   were   increasing.     W  hat   a  fact !     Let 
Europe  and  the  world  bear  it  in  mind.     Let  it  be 
looked  at  in  connexion  with  its  piist  causes;  and, 
prospectively,  as  portending  future  effects.    The 


304 


RESIDENCE  AT  THE 


[1818. 


X'  ^  :■ 


Abbe  Du  Pradt,  in  his  Congress  of  Vienna,  has 
remarked,  that  England  threatens  all  the  wealth, 
and  Russia  all  the  liberty  of  Europe.    Up  to  the  first 
origin  of  the  contest  with  Bonaparte,  the  largest 
sum  England  ever  raised  by  taxes  in  any  one  year 
of  war  or  peace,  was  seventeen  millions  sterling. 
In  twenty-five  years,  when  that  contest  was  over, 
she  raised  hardly  less  than  eighty  millions !     This 
sum  was  paid  indeed  in  the  midst  of  complaints ; 
but  not  more  than  in  Queen  Anne's  time,  when  the 
taxes  were  three  millions,  and  debt  forty ;  or  at  the 
end  of  George  the  Second's,  when  the  former  had 
risen  to  seven,  and  the  latter  to  a  hundred  millions. 
It  was  also  in  1815,  at  the  close  of  the  same  con- 
test, that  the  world  beheld  her  naval  power  more 
than  doubled;  whilst  that  of  other  states  of  Eu- 
rope was,  in  a  proportion  still  greater,  diminished. 
Hitherto,  at  the  commencement  of  wars,  the  fleets 
of  France,  of  Spain,  of  Holland,  if  not  a  match  for 
those  of  England,  could  make  a  show  of  resistance; 
their  concerted  movements,  were  at  least  able  to 
hold  her  in  temporary  check.     Where   are  the 
navies  of  these  powers  row?  or  those  of  the  Bal- 
tic?    Some  gone  almost  totally;  the  rest  destined 
to  l^e  withdrawn  from  the  seas,  on  the  first  war 
with  England.    There  is  nothing,  singly  or  com- 


[1818. 

na,  has 

)  wealths, 

the  first 

5  largest 

one  year 
sterling. 

^as  over, 

ts!     This 

mplaints ; 

when  the 

;  or  at  the 

brmer  had 

;d  milhons. 

same  con- 

3wer  more 

tes  of  Eu- 

iJiminished. 

3,  the  fleets 
match  for 
resistance; 
iast  able  to 
re   are  the 
of  the  Bal- 
,st  destined 
le  first  war 
rly  or  com- 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


305 


bined,  as  far  as  Europe  is  concerned,  to  make 
head  against  her.  France  is  anxious  to  revive  her 
navy  j  she  builds  good  ships  ;  has  brave  and  sci- 
entific oflicers.  So,  Russia.  But  where  are  the 
essential  sources  of  naval  power  in  either?  where 
their  sailors,  trained  in  a  great  mercantile  marine  ? 
Both  together  have  not  as  many,  of  ihis  descrip- 
tion, as  the  United  States.  England  then,  in  her 
next  war,  will  accomplish  more,  as  against  Europe, 
upon  this  element,  than  at  any  former  period;  she 
will  start,  instead  of  ending,  with  her  supremacy 
completely  established.  The  displays  of  her 
power,  will  be  more  immediate,  as  well  as  more 
formidable,  than  the  world  has  before  seen.  I  will 
not  speak  of  a  new  agent  in  navigation,  that  walks, 
as  Mr.  Canning  said,  like  a  giant  on  the  water, 
controlling  winds  and  waves.  This  great  gift  to 
mankind,  in  its  first  cflicient  power  upon  the  water, 
was  from  the  United  States ;  but  all  Europe  will 
feel  the  cflfect  of  navies  moved  by  steam,  in  the 
hands  of  Britain. 

I  had  intended  to  say  something  of  public  speak- 
ing, the  dissolution  of  parliament  suggesting 
the  topic ;  but  I  defer  it.  I  have  desired,  hereto- 
fore, to  make  a  minute  of  my  impressions  on  this 
liead.  I  have  heard  debates  in  both  houses; 
39 


.♦j-*— *» 


'I       m 


if*  *f'  ~.  ^t  I 

f 


^•^tfi 


I'    I    I 


306  RESIDENCE    AT    THE  [1818. 

but  the  occasions  have  been  nnfavourable  for  call- 
ing up  the  leading  orators,  or  drawing  them  fully 
out  if  they  rose.  I  wait  further  lights,  with  the 
mere  remark,  that  the  speaking  I  hare  yet  heard, 
taking  its  average  quality,  has  been  best,  accord- 
ing to  my  judgment,  in  the  House  of  Lords.  My 
previous  anticipations  v/ould  not  have  led  me  to 
form  this  opinion. 

June  11.  Had  an  interview  with  Lord  Castle- 
reagh,  on  his  invitation.  He  informed  me,  that  he 
had  brought  before  the  cabinet  my  proposal  on  im- 
pressment, and  that  it  had  been  considered  with  the 
care  due  to  its  importance. 

He  went  into  some  of  the  arguments  to  which 
the  subject  always  leads.  He  adverted  first,  to 
the  opposite  opinions  which  the  two  governments 
hold  on  the  doctrine  of  allegiance.  Next  he  re- 
marked, that  we  gave  to  our  ships  a  character  of 
inviolability  that  Britain  did  not ;  that  we  consi- 
dered them  as  part  of  our  soil,  clothing  them  with 
like  immunities.  I  said  that  we  did  consider  them 
as  thus  inviolable,  so  far  as  to  afford  protection  to 
our  seamen;  but  that  we  had  never  sought  to  ex- 
empt them  from  search  for  rightful  purposes;  viz. 
for  enemy's  property,  articles  contraband  of  war, 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


307 


t  we  consi- 


or  men  in  the  land  or  naval  service  of  the  enemy. 
These  constituted  the  utmost  limit  of  the  bellige- 
rent claim,  as  we  understood  the  law  of  nations. 
What  we  objected  to  was,  that  Britain,  passing  this 
limit,  should  advance  a  claim  to  enforce  her  own 
municipal  code  relating  to  allegiance  and  impress- 
ment, on  board  our  vessels  on  the  high  seas.  His 
lordship  did  not  view  it  in  this  light.  He  was 
forced,  he  said,  to  add,  that  on  a  full  consideration 
of  my  proposal,  the  cabinet  had  not  found  it  prac- 
ticable to  forego  under  any  arrangement,  the  exe- 
cution of  which  was  to  depend  upon  the  legislative 
ordinances  of  another  country,  the  right  of  Great 
Britain  to  look  for  her  subjects  upon  the  high  seas, 
into  whatever  service  they  might  wander. 

The  proposal  thus  rejected,  having  declared  the 
readiness  of  the  United  States  to  impose  further 
restraints  upon  the  naturalization  of  British  sea- 
men, and  exclude  from  their  ships  all  not  natural- 
ized, I  asked  his  lordship  what  difference  it  would 
make  if  the  United  States  would  agree  to  exclude 
from  their  ships  of  war  and  merchant  vessels,  all 
natural  horn  subjects  of  Great  Britain. 

He  replied,  that  this  indeed  would  bo  going  a 
step  farther,  but  that  it  would  still  leave  the  pro- 
posal within  the  principle  of  their  ohjc  ction.     That 


,Mt»-'—*^ 


f 


308 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


■    .,'     V    ■      ■ 
.■\       Jt-        .-' 

■    i.  '^         :  -       Ji.      :■' 


|r 


4 
1 


1 


^ 


*.».i*>) 


I 


the  objection  rested  upon  an  unwillingness  to  con- 
cede by  treaty  or  convention,  whatever  its  terms, 
the  right  of  entering  the  vessels  of  a  foreign  power 
to  search  for  their  subjects. 

I  said  that  I  heard  this  determination  with  re- 
gret. I  had  been  ready,  otherwise,  to  submit  a 
proposal  to  the  effect  last  mentioned.  My  regret 
was  the  stronger,  as  it  would  exhaust  all  the  offers 
the  United  States  could  make.  I  requested  him, 
in  fact,  to  consider  such  an  offer  as  actually  made, 
under  full  authority  from  my  government. 

I  now  inquired,  if  any  proposals  would  be  sub- 
mitted on  the  part  of  Great  Britain ;  but  his  lordship 
was  prepared  with  none  which  did  not  assume  as 
a  basis,  the  right  of  entering  our  vessels.  For  the 
exercise  of  this  right  in  a  manner  not  to  injure  the 
United  States,  Great  Britain  was  willing,  he  said, 
to  come  into  the  most  effective  regulations;  such 
as  restricting  the  boarding  officers  to  those  of  rank 
not  below  lieutenants ;  giving  responsible  receipts 
for  the  men  taken  out,  or  any  other  safeguards 
that  the  government  of  the  United  States  might 
propose  as  better  adapted  to  the  end;  that  she 
would  receive,  and  in  the  most  friendly  manner  dis- 
cuss, such  proposals,  in  the  hope  of  some  satisfac- 
tory arrangement.     J  ^a-J  that  the  United  States 


[1818. 

5S  to  con- 
its  terms, 
ign  power 

1  with  re- 
>  submit  a 
My  regret 
1  the  offers 
lested  him, 
ually  made, 
nt. 

Duld  be  sub- 
his  lordship 
t  assume  as 
Is.    For  the 
o  injure  the 
inff,  he  said, 
Ltions;  such 
lose  of  rank 
lible  receipts 
safeguards 
Itates  might 
lI;   that  she 
manner  dis- 
|me  satisfac- 
jnited  States 


1818.]  COURT  OF  LONDON.  300 

never  could  admit  the  riglit  to  enter  their  vessels 
for  such  a  purpose  as  impressment.  Besides  the 
objection  to  it  in  principle,  the  practice,  however 
attempted  to  be  softened,  must  be  liable,  from  causes 
that  were  insurmountable  as  between  the  two 
nations,  to  perpetual  and  fatal  abuse.  This  had 
been  show  n  by  an  amount  and  aggravation  of  past 
experience,  to  which  it  was  impossible  to  remain 
blind.  His  lordship  again  admitted  the  evils  of 
which  it  had  been  the  parent,  expressing  his  hope 
that  they  might  never  recur. 

He  next  spoke  of  the  slave  trade.  Great  Britain, 
he  said,  had  concluded  treaties  with  three  of  the 
powers  of  Europe  on  this  subject;  Portugal,  Spain 
and   the  Netherlands.      Portugal   had   agreed  to 
abolish  the  trade,  except  in  certain  specified  places 
on  the  coast  of  Africa,  south  of  the  equator;  Spain 
north  of  the  equator,  from  the  time  of  the  ratifica- 
tion of  her  treaty,  and  in  all  other  parts,  after  May 
eighteen  hundred  and  twenty.     To  these  powers, 
Britain  had  paid,  from  first  to  last,  seven  hundred 
thousand  pounds,  as  inducements  to  the  treaties. 
The  clauses  stated  the  money  to  be  as  compensa- 
tion to  Spanish  and  Portuguese  subjects,  for  the 
loss  of  the  trade.     The  Netherlands  had  agreed  to 
abolish  it,  immediately  and  totally,  without  pecuniary 


310 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


*  ■ 

.'(         ft: 


I  ] 


;tl 


1 


...  ;t 


*r'tt,: 


i   i 


?::  ■'  I 


J;^K. 


inducement.   The  purport  of  the  treaties,  speaking 
more  particularly  of  the  last,  was,  that  the  con- 
tracting parties  were  to  authorise  a  limited  number 
of  the  ships  of  their  navy  to  search  the  merchant 
vessels  of  each  other,  found  under  circumstances  to 
excite  suspicion  of  being  engaged  in  the  trade; 
and  in  case  of  slaves  being  actually  on  board,  to 
send  the  vessels  in  for  trial ;  the  tribunals  to  con- 
sist of  mixed  courts,  composed  of  judges,  or  com- 
missioners appointed  by  each  power;  the  courts 
to  hold  their  sittings  within  the  territories  or  de- 
pendencies of  each  power,  but  one  always  to  be 
established  on  the  coast  of  Africa ;  no  search  to 
be  permitted  in  the  Mediterranean,  or  any  of  the 
European  seas  north  of  latitude  thirty-seven,  or 
within  and  eastward  of  longitude  twenty.    These 
were  some  of  the  main  provisions  of  the  treaties. 
There  were   various  others,    designed   to  guard 
against  irregularity  in  the  exercise  of  a  right  which 
the  contracting  parties  had  mutually  conceded  for 
the  common  object.    The  period  had  arrived,  his 
lordship  continued,  when  it  was  the  wish  of  Great 
Britain  to  invite  the  United  States  to  join  in  these 
measures,  and  it  was  his  design  to  submit,  through 
me,  proposals  to  that  effect.     It  had  occurred  to 
him  to  send  me,  with  an  official  note,  authentic 


[1818. 

speaking 
the  con- 
ed number 
;  merchant 
istancesto 
the  trade; 
board,  to 
lals  to  con- 
res,  or  com- 
the  courts 
Lories  or  de- 
tlways  to  be 
no  search  to 
r  any  of  the 
rty-seven,  or 
nty.    These 
the  treaties, 
ed  to  guard 
a  rigbt  which 
conceded  for 
\  arrived,  his 
wish  of  Great 
join  in  these 
ibmit,  through 
occurred  to 
>te,  authentic 


1818.J 


COURT    OP    LONDON. 


311 


copies  of  the  treaties  themselves ;  they  would  best 
unfold,  in  all  their  details,  the  grounds  on  which  a 
concert  of  action  had  been  settled  with  other  pow- 
ers, and  it  was  on  similar  ground  \e  meant  to  ask 
the  accession  of  the  United  States,  anticipating 
large  benefits  from  their  maritime  co-operation  in 
this  great  work  of  humanity.  Whilst  it  had  oc- 
curred to  him  to  make  the  overture  to  my  govern- 
ment in  this  manner,  he  said  that  if  any  other  course 
presented  itself  to  me  as  better  adapted  to  the  end, 
he  would  be  happy  to  listen  to  it. 

I  replied,  that  I  knew  of  none  better.     I  was 
altogether  devoid  of  instructions  on  the  subject 
as  already  stated,  but  would  transmit  the  treaties 
for  the  consideration  of  the  President.     The  United 
States,  from   an  early  day,    had  regarded    this 
traffic  with  uniform  disapprobation ;  and  for  many 
years,  it  had  been  altogether  prohibited  by  their 
statutes.    The  existence  of  slavery  in  several  of  the 
states  of  the  American  Union,  had  nothing  to  do, 
I  remarked,  with   the  slave   trade.     The   former 
grew  up  with  the  policy  of  the  parent  country 
anterior  to  the  independence  of  the  United  States, 
and  remained  incorporated  with  the  domestic  laws 
of  the  particular  states  where  it  had  been  so  intro- 
duced, and  always  existed.     Yet,  those  who  could 


^.iBi.Jl •*' 


1 

■I' 


■ '       '«(■  ■        ■       - 


■  & 


fMP 


(  ■ 


h:fi 


y     1 


^f 


1>.      r 


'I 


312 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


not  allow  their  laws  in  this  respect  to  be  touched, 
went  hand  and  heart  with  the  rest  of  their  fellow 
citizens  in  desiring  the  abolition  of  the  slave  trade. 
Lastly,  his  lordship  spoke  of  the  commercial 
convention  of  1815.  He  reminded  me  that  it  had 
but  little  more  than  a  twelvemonth  to  run,  asking 
if  I  knew  the  views  of  my  government  in  regard 
to  its  renewal.  I  said  not  precisely,  but  expected 
soon  to  ascertain  them. 

June  12.  Dined  at  the  Marquis  of  Stafford's. 
I  am  no  votary  of  the  rotit,  but  the  private  dinner 
party  in  England  shows  society  under  a  different 
aspect.  I  may  remark,  indeed,  that  the  diplomatic 
stranger  can  hardly  command  other  opportunities  of 
seeing  it  to  proper  advantage.  Evening  visits  he 
cannot  make :  the  late  hour  of  dining  is  an  obstacle. 
Morning  calls  arc  a  mere  ceremony,  performed  for 
the  most  part  by  his  card;  and  midnight  crowds 
are  not  society.     It  is  only  at  dinners  that  he  finds  it. 

These  seem  the  chosen  scenes  of  English  hospi- 
tality. They  are  seldom  large.  Mr.  Jefferson's  rule 
was,  and  he  knew  how  to  appreciate  the  refinements 
of  social  life,  not  fewer  than  the  graces,  nor  more 
than  the  muses ;  within  which  limits,  conversation 
might  be  kept  general — always  its  highest  though 


I  I 


[1818. 

touched, 
nr  fellow 
Lvo  trade, 
mmercial 
lat  it  bad 
in,  asking 
in  regard 
expected 


Stafford's, 
mte  dinner 
a  different 
diplomatic 
jrtunities  of 
ng  visits  he 
an  obstacle, 
irformed  for 
olit  crowds 
,t  he  finds  it. 

iglisb  bospi- 
ferson'srulc 
refinements 
s,  nor  more 
conversation 
rbest  tbougli 


1818.] 


COURT    UF 


SON. 


313 


most  difficult  recommend.! I i*  iiiply'"ig  constant 
forbearance,  not  less  than  dis«  lined  eji  o  in  a"  the 
company.  At  the  I^ondon  dinners,  from  t  Ive 
to  sixteen  seem  a  favourite  number.  Often  they 
are  smaller.  Individual  character  and  accomplish- 
ments, reserved  at  first  in  these  classes,  here  begin 
to  open.  Sully,  after  Paulus  JEmilius,  said,  that 
to  marshal  an  army  and  order  an  entertainment, 
were  equally  difficult.  Those  of  which  I  would 
speak,  present  no  discordant  feelings  or  topics. 
All  obey  forms  with  which  all  are  familiar,  and 
thus  conversation  moves  along  under  common  con- 
tributions and  well-observed  restraints.  There  is 
no  ambition  for  effect;  never  any  for  victory;  to  give 
pleasure,  not  try  strength,  being  the  common  aim. 
In  the  whole  tone,  you  remark  nothing  so  much 
as  a  certain  simplicity,  the  last  attainment  of  high 
education  and  practised  intercourse. 

Alluding  to  such  characteristics,  I  proceed  a 
little  further ;  I  would  raise,  as  far  as  I  may,  the 
curtain  of  these  sanctuaries,  in  another  sense.  I 
would  show  the  tables,  in  their  orderly  and  beau- 
tiful arrangements;  all  alike,  yet  all  varying — 
alike  in  general  conformity — varying  as  taste 
varies,  where  there  is  self-confidence  in  its  indul- 
gence, and  all  have  the  means  of  indulging  it. 
40 


I 


1 

S    **?-  *:w   1 

,t            ., 

*►■  r ;  ■  ■ 

.'1 

•l 

*.                     ■;,» 

i'- '    '  •■ 

;  it 

I  I 


314  RESIDENCE     AT    THE  [1818. 

The  word  fashion,  I  have  not  heard,  nor  seen  its 
principle,  in  mere  imitation.     The    servants   arc 
always  in  full  number,  and  so  trained  as  to  leave 
to  the  master  and  mistress  no  care  but  that  of  en- 
tertaining their   guests.     The  quantity  of  silver, 
strikes  me  as  among  the  evidences  of  a  boundless 
opulence.     Every  day — every  where — its  glittcrinrr 
masses  attract  the  eye;  plates  through  constant 
changes ;  dishes  and  other  articles  the  most  mas- 
sive, whether  for  use  or  embellishment;  the  full 
service,  as  seen  at  first,  or  disclosed  through  the 
various  cuursus,  exhibiting  an  aspect  of  surpassing 
lustre.     Not  unfrequently  the  fretted  workmanship 
and  romantic  patterns  of  past  ages  still  remain; 
pointing,  like  family  paintings,  to  different  epochs 
of  time,  and  seeming  to  be  cherished  with  almost  a 
like  feeling.     Foreigners,  from  whatever   part  of 
Europe,  are  in  like  manner  struck  with  this  profu- 
sion of  solid  and  sumptuous  plate  upon  English 
tables,  as  unknown  in   any  other  capital  to  an  ex- 
tent at  all  approaching  to  comparison.     The  pos- 
sessors long  accustomed  to  it  all,  seem  unconscious 
of  its  presence ;  but  the  foreigner  sees  in  it,  the 
national  as  individual  riches.     Whence  proceed, 
he  asks  himself,  the  incomes  that  retain,  and  con- 
tinue to  acquire,  in  fresh  accumulation,  luxuries  so 


[1818. 

31-  seen  its 
•vants   urc 
as  to  leave 
that  of  en- 
^  of  fiilver, 
a  boundless 
ts  glittering 
oil  constant 
e  most  mas- 
nit;  the  full 
through  the 
r»f  surpassing 
workmanship 
still  remain; 
ferent  epochs 
with  almost  a 
tcver   part  of 
ith  this  profu- 
upon  English 
)ital  to  an  ex- 
.n.    The  pos- 
Q  unconscious 
ices  in  it,  the 
ence  proceed, 
jtain,  and  con- 
,n,  luxuries  so 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


315 


costly,  but  from  the  land  ?  and  what  would  be  the 
land,  with  the  works  upon  it ;  \n  hat  the  crops  on 
its  surface,  or  mines  undorneatli,  but  for  the  manu- 
factures and  trade  of  the  country,  Avhich  bring  all 
into  value  by  a  vast  and  increasing  demand; 
increasing  at  home,  as  abroad ;  in  war,  as  in 
peace  ? 

Our  dinner  to-day  illustrated,  as  one  instance, 
the  general    characteristics  alluded   to.     It    was 
not   large.     Lord   and  I^ady  Stafford,    the   Earl 
and  Countess  of  Surry,  Lady  Elizabeth   Levison 
Gower,   Lord  Francis  Gower,  and  a  few   more, 
made  the  party.     The  country  life  in  England,  was 
much  spoken  of;  also  the  literary  publications  of 
the  day,  this  family  being  distinguished  by  the  lite- 
rary accomphshments  of  its  members.     The  paint- 
ings of  the  n:astcrs  huno;  all  around  us.     Our  hos- 
pitable  entertainers  invited  Mrs.  Rush  and  myself 
to  visit  them  at  their  scat,  Trentham,  in  Stafford- 
shire, than  whicli  we  could  not  have  known  a  higher 
gratification.     Another  topic,  always  grateful,  was 
not  passed  by ;  our  country.     Cordial  things  were 
said  of  it,  and  enlightened  wishes  expressed,  that 
two  nations  so  connected  as  Enoland  and  the  Uni- 
led  States,   might   long  see  their  way  to  mutual 
good  will !    Leaving  the  table,  we  were  an  hour  in 


„rt.»(-,-«r 


1 1 


I        •'      ! 


♦..  1 


316 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


the  drawing  rooms,  always  an  agreeable  close  to 
English  dinners.  On  entering  them,  the  cup  of 
Mocha  coffee  is  handed ;  to  which,  after  a  short 
interval,  tea  succeeds — the  black  tea.  Ladies 
make  part  of  these  dinners,  adding  to  their  at- 
tractiveness ;  they  leave  the  table  first,  the  gentle- 
men soon  following  and  rising  altogether ;  on  no 
occasion  have  I  observed  any  one  leave  the  table, 
until  all  rise.  We  had  music  from  St.  James's 
Park,  into  which  the  windows  of  Stafford  house 
look.  Its  notes  were  the  softer  from  the  stillness 
of  that  scene,  and  the  breezes  of  a  charming  sum- 
mer night. 


i   t 


••.ml  *.- 


June  20.  Had  an  interview  with  Lord  Castle- 
reagh.  He  read  the  first  draught  of  a  note  to  mc, 
inviting  the  United  States  to  co-operate  in  putting 
down  the  slave  trade,  asking  my  suggestions  as  to 
any  modifications.  I  had  none  to  offer ;  and  it 
was  accordingly  sent  as  prepared.  I  drew  up  an 
answer  to  the  general  effect  of  the  sentiments  I 
had  expressed  in  our  conversations,  promising  to 
refer  the  whole  subject  to  my  government. 

I  now  renewed  the  topic  of  impressment.  Al- 
though in  our  conference  of  the  eleventh,  I  had 
made  known  the  willingness  of  the  United  States 


I  I 


[1818. 

close  to 
e  cup  of 
;r  a  short 
.    Ladies 
their  at- 
the  gentle- 
ler ;  on  no 
i  the  tahle, 
$t.  James's 
fford  house 
the  stillness 
arming  sum- 


Lord  Castle- 
1  note  to  me, 
c  in  putting 
Tcstions  as  to 
offer;  and  it 
1  drew  up  an 
sentiments  I 

promising  to 
ment. 
■cssment.    Ai* 

[cventh,  1  ^^a^ 
lUnited  States 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


317 


to  exclude  from  their  naval  and  merchant  service 
all  British  seamen,  native  as  well  as  naturalized,  I 
did  not  think  proper  to  let  the  proposition  rest  on 
the  footing  of  a  verhal  offer,  but  reduced  it  to  wri- 
ting, in  terms  as  follow : 

"  The  proposal  submitted  by  the  Undersigned  to 
Lord  Castlereagh,  upon  the  subject  of  impressment, 
on  the  eighteenth  of  April,  not  being  found  accept- 
able, he  has  the  honour  to  offer  on  behalf  of  his 
government  the  following :     Each  nation  rigidly  to 
exclude  from  service  on  board  of  their  ships  of  war 
and  merchant  vessels,   all  native  horn  subjects  or 
citizens  of  the  other.     The  checks  and  precautions 
stated  in  the  former  paper,  to  guard  against  fraudu- 
lent naturalization,  to  be  resorted  to  (with  the  pro- 
per modifications)  to  prevent  iinpo.^ition  relative  to 
the  birth  place  of  seamen,  or  others  adopted.     Sea- 
men already  naturalized  in  the  United  States,  to  be 
excluded  from  the  operation  of  the  agreement,  as 
these,  by  their  laws,  caimot  be   included.    The 
number  of  this  class  is  believed  to  be  small,  and  in 
a  short  time  would  cease  altogether.    Although 
the  stipulation  for  exclusion  must  be  reciprocal,  a 
provision   to   be  inserted  authorising  the  United 
States,  if  so  disposed,  to  dispense  with  the  obliga- 


'■a'iiBPggs 


1'^ 


318  RESIDENCE    AT    THE  [1818. 

tions  it  would  impose  on  their  own  seamen,  when- 
ever the  latter  may  choose  of  their  ow  n  accord  to 
enter  the  British  service  ;  this  power  of  dispensa- 
tion to  be  reciprocal,  if  desired. 

"  Should  the  above  proposal  be  accepted,  it  will 
follow,  that  all  British  seamen  or  subjects  now  in 
the  United  States,  and  not  heretofore  naturalized, 
will  be  excluded  from  their  sea  service,  and  that 
all  who  arrive  in  future  will  be  excluded.  Great 
Britain,  on  her  part,  to  come  into  a  distinct  stipu- 
lation, not  to  impress  men  out  of  American  ves- 
sels."   R.  R. 


.'f 


^■1 


I  f 


l! 


I  handed  this  paper  to  his  lordship.  The  pro- 
posal had,  as  I  knew,  been  rejected;  but  I  knew 
the  President's  desire  to  settle  this  great  question, 
and  believed  that  I  should  be  more  truly  the  organ 
of  his  will,  by  putting  the  proposal  in  a  shape  in 
which  it  might  go  upon  the  archives  of  his  majes- 
ty's goverument.  I  even  cherished  the  hope,  that 
other  views  might  yet  be  taken  of  it  by  Great  Bri- 
tain. His  lordship,  on  reading  the  pai)er  said,  that 
he  would  lay  it  before  the  cabinet  on  his  return 
from  Ireland,  whither  he  was  going  the  day  follow- 
ing, and  should  the  proposal,  now  that  it  had  taken 
this  form,  still  be  objcctetl  to,  perhaps  it  might  be 


[1818. 

\,  wlien- 
ccord  to 
iispensa- 

ed,  it  will 
•ts  now  in 
ituralized, 
,  and  that 
;d.    Great 
tinct  stipu- 
erican  ves- 


1818.] 


COURT    OF   LONDON. 


319 


thought  advisable  to  put  in  writing  the  counter 
opinion  ^  of  Great  Britain.  Nothing  further  passed 
at  this  interview. 

The  general  election  for  a  new  House  of  Com- 
mons being  in  progress,  and  the  hustings  at  Covent 
Garden  open,  I  said,  when  about  to  come  away, 
that  I  intended  to  go  there.     If  you  can  wait  a 
few  minutes,  said  his  lordship,  I  will  go  with  you; 
I  want  .0  V  »te.     I  replied,  that  I  should  be  happy 
to  go  under  such  auspices.    You  might  have  better, 
he  remarked.     At  this  moment  Sir  William  Scott 
was  announced,  and  I  took  my  leave,  finding  my 
own  \vay  to  the  hustings.     They  gave  a  repulsive 
picture  of  an  English  election.     Sir  Murray  Max- 
well, was  the  ministerial  candidate;  Sir  Francis 
Burdett,  Sir  Samuel  Romilly,  and  Mr.  Hunt,  on  the 
other  side.     The  first  was  not  only  hissed  and 
hooted  in  the  most  violent  manner  by  the  populace, 
but  on  a  former  day  had  been  wounded  l)y  missiles. 
Ho  appeared  with  his  arm  tied  up,  and  a  bandage 
over  his  eye.     I  was  glad  to  get  away  from  such  a 
scene  of  tumult.   In  a  little  \\  bile  Lord  Castlcreagh 
arrived.     His  remark  was  prophetic;  for  he  was 
literally  mobbed.     Having  given  his  vote  for  Sir 
Murray  Maxwell,  viva  vovc\  as  the  English  custom 
is,  he  was  recognized,  and  four  or  five  hundred  of 


.It,  It-u..  •*• 


\l 


320 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


57  **►  *'« . « 


* 

l 


l-"*^-  •■  \ 


■f 


J  i 


the  people  under  opposite  banners,  pursued  him. 
He  took  refuge  in  a  shop  in  Leicester  square,  where 
he  was  obliged  to  escape  by  a  back  way,  until 
finally  he  found  shelter  in  the  admiralty.    If  the 
ministerial  candidate  and  his  supporters  were  thus 
roughly  treated,  they  bore  it  with  the  greatest  com- 
posure.     The  former   on   re-appearing  after  his 
wounds,  again  mounted  the  hustings  to  make  a 
speech.     Being  told  that  pains  would  be  taken  to 
discover  and  punish  the  authors  of  the  outrage,  lie 
forbad  all  inquiry,  saying  he  had  no  doubt  they 
acted  thoughtlessly,  without  any  intention  of  hurt- 
ing him;  a  stroke  of  policy  that  brought  him  fresh 
votes.     As  to  Lord  Castlereagh,  I  was  informed, 
that  on  reaching  the  admiralt} ,  he  turned  round, 
and,  with  cool  complaisance,  thanked  his  pursuers, 
then  close  upon  him,  for  their  escort,  saying  that 
he   would   not   trouble  them   to  accompany  him 
farther ;  which  drew  huzzas  in  his  favour. 

July  1.  Dined  at  the  Chancellor  of  the  exche- 
quer's. His  residence  is  in  Downing  street;  I  may 
add  that  it  is  historical.  His  dining  room  was 
once  Mr.  Pitt's,  who  lived  here  while  prime  minis- 
ter; and  still  carher,  it  was  Sir  Robert  Walpolc's 
residence.     A  portrait  of  the  latter,  hung  on  the 


[1818. 

iied  him. 
re,vfhere 
^ay,  until 
r.    Iftlie 
were  thus 
atest  com- 
•  after  bis 
to  make  a 
be  taken  to 
outrage,  iic 
doubt  tkey 
Lion  of  tat- 
rht  him  frcsli 
ras  informed, 
urned  round, 
his  pursuers, 
saying  that 
company  bim 
rour. 

of  the  cxchc- 
street  jln^^}' 
i»(T  room  >va5 
pi-inie  minis- 
icrt  WulpoW^ 
hung  on  the 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


321 


wall ;  in  gazing  on  which  you  might  readily  trace 
the  composed  countenance  that  enabled  him  to  sit 
unmoved  under  the  batteries  of  Wyndham,  and 
Shippen,  and  Pultney.  There  were  at  table,  Mr.  and 
Miss  Vansittart,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  East,  Lord  Harrow- 
by,  the  ambassador  from  the  Netherlands,  the  Prus- 
sian ambassador,  Mr.  Arbuthnot  secretary  of  the 
treasury,  and  Mr.  M'Kensie. 

Mr.  Pitt  was  spoken  of.     Lord  Harrowby  said, 

that  he  was  a  fine  Greek  scholar;  also  that  he  had 

retained  with  singular  accuracy  his  mathematics 

acquired  at  school.     He  spoke  of  Lord  Grenville's 

attainments  as  a  classic,  particularly  in  Greek,  and 

his  skill  in  languages  generally,  of  which  he  knew 

a  great  many.     Lord  Harrowby  himself  has  high 

reputation  in  this  line,  modern  languages,  as  well 

as  the  classics,  being  at   his  command  in  great 

purity.     He  spoke  of  words  that  had  obtained  a 

sanction  in  the  United  States,  in  the  condemnation 

of  which  he  could  not  join ;  as  for  example,  lengthy, 

which  imported  he  said  what  was  tedious  as  well 

as  long,  an  idea  that  no  other  English  word  seemed 

to  convey  as  well.    I  remarked,  that  we  were  a 

little  unfortunate  in  the  United  States  in  one  thing 

as  regarded  language ;  for  that  if  persons,  no  mat- 

41 


3^2 


RESIDENCE  AT  THE 


[1818. 


r 


IP**-!-    I 


Tf'^   I  :- 


'f 


J: 


tor  Ijiaw  illiterate,  used  wrong  words,  they  were 
Ixrought  to  light  as  Americanisms,  whereas  in  other 
countries,  such  things  were  passed  by  as  vulgar- 
isms; thanking  his  lordship  however  for  throwing 
his  shield  over  lengthy.,  as  to  which  I  joined  him  in 
opinion., 

Mr.  Vansittart  had  been  reading  some  of  the 
official  documents  of  our  government.  He  said 
that  our  appropriations  for  the  military  service  for 
the  year  exceeded  those  of  Great  Britain,  in  pro- 
portion to  the  size  of  the  two  armies  j  remarking 
that  the  British  army  was  the  most  expensive  in 
Europe.  The  Duicli  was  next,  he  said;  the 
Russian  cheapest.  The  last  cost  but  a  seventh 
part  as  much,  man  for  man,  as  the  British.  I  said 
that  the  expense  of  an  army  in  the  United  States, 
arose  from  the  ease  with  which  subsistence  was 
otherwise  obtainable ;  moreover,  that  the  service 
was  not  popular  in  peace.  He  assigned  a  further 
reason — our  large  proportion  of  artillery;  we  had 
three  thousand,  to  an  army  often  thousand;  whilst 
the  British  artillery,  to  an  army  of  a  hundred  thou- 
sand, amounted  to  not  more  than  seven  thousand. 
This  I  explained  by  saying,  that  one  of  the\chief 
uses  of  a  small  standing  army  in  the  United  States, 
was  to  keep  fortifications  in  order ;  adding  that  we 


|i 


[1818. 

ey  were 
J  in  other 
,s  vulgar- 
throwing 
led  him  in 

►me  of  the 

He  said 

service  for 

ain,  in  P^o- 
;  remarking 
expensive  in 
3    said;    the 
it  a  seventh 


1818.] 


COURT  OP  LONDON. 


323 


also  made  large  expenditures  upon  them,  under  our 
military  appropriations. 

I  owe  warm  acknowledgments  to  Mr.  Vansittart 
for  hospitalities  and  other  acts  of  kindness,  during 
the  whole  of  my  mission ;  appreciated  the  more  in 
my  public  and  personal  feelings,  from  his  high  sta- 
tion in  the  cabinet,  in  conjunction  with  his  indi- 
vidual distinction  and  various  worth. 

In  a  renewed  conversation  I  asked  him,  what 
work  was  regarded  as  containing  the  best  account 
of  the  British  finances  ?  He  said  it  was  difficult  to 
arrive  at  a  knowledge  of  them  from  any  single 
work ;  but,  on  the  whole,  he  considered  Sir  John 
Sinclair's,  for  the  periods  it  embraced,  as  most 
satisfactory. 


July  15.  We  were  at  a  party  at  the  Marchioness 
of  Herefords,  Manchester  square,  given  to  the 
Prince  Regent.  The  foreign  ambassadors  and 
ministers,  the  cabir  it  ministers,  a  large  assemblage 
of  peers  and  peeresses,  with  others  prominent  in 
these  classes,  were  present.  The  rooms,  which 
blazed  with  light,  were  on  the  ground  floor,  con- 
trary to  the  usual  construction  and  arrangement  of 
the  houses  in  London,  which  place  the  rooms  of 
entertainment  a  story  higher,  called  the  first  floor  j 


^ 


324 


RESIDENCE   AT    THE 


[1818. 


I 


.'I 


'*■<!  '■  'n—i 


the  evening  being  fine,  the  gardens  were  also  illu- 
minated ;  and  the  Regent's  full  band  was  stationed 
there,  giving  us  fine  music,  whilst  the  flowers  gave 
out  their  fragrance.  I  have  but  just  remarked  that 
evening  parties,  or  routs,  are  not  the  places  for  con- 
versation ;  there  is  too  much  glare,  and  excitement, 
too  constant  a  movement  from  the  flow  of  compa- 
ny— sometimes  a  thousand  and  more — arriving 
and  departing ;  the  names  of  the  former  being  con- 
stantly passed  through  a  line  of  servants,  whose 
voices  are  also  in  requisition  for  calling  up  the  car- 
riages of  the  latter.  All,  as  at  dinner  parties,  ar- 
rive and  go  away  in  carriages,  nobody  walk- 
ing, that  I  see.  But  although  there  is  little  chance, 
generally,  of  conversation  at  routs,  sometimes  it 
may  be  gleaned  in  scraps.  On  this  occasion  I  had 
some  with  **=******  on  the  subject  of  the  Canadas. 
I  threw  out  with  what  care  I  might,  the  sentiments 
expressed  on  a  preceding  page,  on  this  head ;  but 
I  did  not  find  that  they  were  responded  to.  The 
topic  was  not  pressed  to  an  argument  on  either 
side ;  but  enough  was  said  to  enable  me  to  infer 
his  opinions  to  be,  that  Britain,  should  she  ever 
think  any  of  her  great  national  interests  sufficiently 
at  stake  to  do  so,  could  erect  barriers  and  accumu- 
late military  means  in  those  provinces  of  a  very 


^ 


[1818. 

also  illu- 
stationed 
vers  gave 
trked  that 
3S  for  con- 
xcitement, 
of  compa- 
} — arriving 
being  con- 
ants,  whose 
r  up  the  car- 
parties,  ar- 
)body  walk- 
Uttle  chance, 
sometimes  it 
•casion  I  had 
the  Canadas. 
le  sentiments 
^shead;  but 
led  to.    The 
jnt  on  either 
le  me  to  infer 
luld  she  ever 
its  sufficiently 
and  accumu- 


1818.] 


COURT   OF    LONDON. 


325 


fearful  kind.  It  is  not  probable  that  arguments 
would  change  the  opinion  of  either  party;  nations, 
for  the  most  part,  being  little  moved  by  them,  until 
after  some  experience  of  the  ultima  ratio. 

July  i.o.  Went  with  Mrs.  Rush  to  an  entertain- 
ment at  Carlton  House,  given  by  the  Prince  Regent 
in  honour  of  the  marriages  of  the  Duke  of  Clarence 
and  Duke  of  Kent.  We  had  introductions  in  com- 
mon with  the  rest  of  the  foreign  ministers,  to  the 
royal  brides.  These  marriages,  with  those  of  the 
Princess  Elizabeth,  and  Duke  of  Cambridge,  all 
within  a  recent  period,  have  led  to  a  succession 
of  entertainments  in  which  the  diplomatic  corps 
have  all  participated. 


.f,  ».*,-,»• 


'% 


326 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


TH,   ;.„,„ 

-  ■■    »^ 

,  ':.'      ■^              '■> 

I  ■■     .  *^::  .       ;-   ■ 

^  I  :v. 

( 

.f'--? 

'■' 

^fsn-i            ;...;        1 

I        1 


>:.-■ 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

INTERVIEW    WITH    LORD  CASTLEREAGH GENERAL  NE- 
GOTIATION PROPOSED COMMERCIAL  CONVENTION   OF 

1815 EUROPEAN    MEDIATION    BETWEEN    SPAIN  AND 

HER  COLONIES.  DINNER  AT  MR.  VILLIERs's.  THE 
QUARTERLY  REVIEW.  INTERVIEW  WITH  LORD  CAS- 
TLEREAGH  PROPOSAL  FOR  A  GENERAL  NEGOTIATION 

ACCEPTED MR.  GALLATIN  TO  TAKE  PART  IN  IT- 
MR.  ROBINSON  AND  MR.  GOULBURN,  THE  BRITISH  NE- 
GOTIATORS.        COMMERCIAL     CONVENTION    OF    1815. 

DINNER    AT     SIR    JOHN    SINCLAIR'S AT    MR.    B.NT- 

HAM's AT  THE  FRENCH  AMBASSADOR'S.  INTER- 
VIEW WITH  LORD  CASTLEREAGH COURSE  OF  GREAT 

BRITAIN  AND  THE  UNITED  STATES  TOWARDS  SPAIN 
AND  HER  COLONIES.       AFFAIR  OF  PENSACOLA. 

My  16.  Lord  Castlereagh  returned  from  Ire- 
land on  the  fourteenth.  To-day  I  had  an  inter- 
view with  him. 

I  entered  at  once  upon  the  subject  of  the  com- 
mercial relations  between  the  two  countries.   I  re- 


[1818. 


1818.] 


COURT    OF   LONDON. 


327 


iNERAL  NE- 
rENTION   OF 
SPAIN  AND 
SRS'S.      THE 
1  LORD  CAS- 
S'EGOTIATION 
■ART  IN  IT— 
,  BRITISH  NE- 
)N    OF    ISIO. 
T    MR.    BCNT- 

r's.      inter- 

,SB  OF  GREAT 
^WARDS  SPAIN 
COLA. 

led  from  Ire- 
lad  an  inter- 

of  the  com- 
intries.  Ire- 


marked,  that  it  was  with  reluctance  the  President 
had  given  his  consent  to  the  act  of  Congress  to 
exclude  from  ports  of  the  United  States,  British 
vessels  coming  from   the  West  Indies  or   other 
British  colonies,  from  whose  ports  vessels  of  the 
United  States  were  excluded.     The  act  indeed  was 
founded  on  equal  justice  and  could  lay  no  ground 
of  complaint,  as  had  often  been  agreed  by  Great 
Britain;  still,  the  President  could  not  but  know, 
that  its  practical  operation  might  be  irritating  to 
individual  interests  which  it    would  afiect  in  both 
countries,  and  his  desire  was,  to  give  efficacy  to 
measures  mutually  more  beneficial  and  concilia- 
tory.     It  was  therefore  that  I   was  once  more 
instructed  to  propose  to  his  majesty's  government 
the  negotiation  of  a  general  treaty  of  commerce. 
The  President  desired  also,  that  the  negotiation 
should  include  other  matters ;  and  I  recapitulated 
the  four  following:      1.  The  question  respecting 
slaves  carried  off  from  the  United  States,  in  con- 
travention, as  we  alleged,  of  the  treaty  of  Ghent. 
2.  The   question  of  title  to  Columbia  river.     3. 
That  of  the  north-western  boundary  line,  from  the 
Lake   of  the  Woods.    4.   The  question,  (one  of 
immediate  and  pressing  importance,)  relating  to 
the  fisheries.     Upon  all  these,  the  President  pre- 


328 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


H-   , 


t  i 


■     .. *„.«;,;,,,, 


ferred  negotiating  directly,  rather  than  resorting 
to  commissioners,  as  under  the  treaty  of  Ghent, 
in  the  hope  that  it  might  prove  the  means  of  the 
two  governments  coming  more  speedily  to  an 
understanding.  If  his  majesty's  government  was 
prepared  to  go  into  them  all,  in  addition  to  the 
question  of  a  general  treaty  of  commerce,  as  the 
whole  would  take  a  wide  range,  the  United  States 
would  name  another  plenipotentiary  to  meet,  in 
association  with  me,  any  two  designated  by  Great 
Britain. 

His  lordship  asked,  what  was  to  be  understood 
by  a  general  treaty  of  commerce.  I  replied,  a 
treaty  that  would  open,  not  a  temporary  or  preca- 
rious, but  permanent  intercourse  with  the  British 
West  Indies,  and  their  colonies  in  North  America, 
to  the  shipping  of  the  United  States ;  a  subject 
which,  I  admitted,  it  might  seem  unnecessary  to 
bring  forward  after  the  recently  expressed  opinions 
of  his  majesty's  government  not  to  treat  of  it, 
were  it  not  that  others  of  interest  to  both 
nations  were  now  coupled  with  it  in  a  way 
to  give  the  proposition  in  some  measure  a  new 
character. 

He  said  that  the  British  government  would  be 
willing  to  enter  upon  a  negotiation  on  the  commer- 


[1818. 

•esorting 
,f  Ghent, 
IS  of  the 
,y    to  an 
ment  was 
^on  to  the 
ce,  as  the 
ted  States 
)  meet,  in 
i  by  Great 

understood 
L  rephed,  a 
ry  or  preca- 
the  British 
•th  America, 
;  a  subject 
accessary  to 
ised  opinions 
treat  of  it, 
lest  to  both 
in  a  way 
sure  a  new 

lent  would  be 
thecommer- 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


329 


cial  relations  of  the  two  countries ;  but  ho  had  no 
authority  to  say  that  the  colonial  system  would  be 
essentially  altered ;  broken  down  it  could  not  be. 
1  said,  that  if  it  were  not  to  be  departed  from  at  all, 
or  in  no  greater  degree  than  as  provided  by  the 
four  articles  spoken  of  in  our  conference  of  the  third 
of  January,  as  those  articles  h;id  not  proved  ac- 
ceptable to  my  government,  it  did  not  appear  to  me 
that  any  advantage  would  be  likely  to  arise  trom 
going  into  the  negotiation.  He  replied,  that  he 
was  not  prepared  to  answer  definitively  upon  any 
of  the  subjects,  but  would  lay  them  before  the  cabi- 
net. He  professed  it  to  be  the  earnest  desire  of 
the  British  government  to  see  the  commercial  in- 
tercourse between  the  two  countries  placed  upon 
the  best  footing  at  all  points ;  the  stake  to  each 
being  alike  important. 

In  the  event  of  a  negotiation  not  being  opened 
on  the  broad  grounds  I  had  stated,  his  lordship 
asked  if  it  were  yet  in  my  power  to  inform  him  of 
the  intentions  of  my  government  as  to  the  existing 
convention  of  July  1815,  now  sooii  to  expire. 

I  gave  him  to  understand  that  the  President  was 
willing  to  renew  it ;  thus  keeping  it  distinct  from 
all  other  questions.    It  was  an  instrument  satisfac- 
tory to  the  United  States,  because,  as  far  as  it 
42 


ii 


H 


ac 


330 


RESIDENCE    AT   THE 


[1818. 


L 


^■ae^r. 


-{ 


I     r    • 


went,  it  placed  the  tonnage  of  the  two  countries  in 
each  other's  ports,  on  a  footing  of  equality.  His 
lordsliip  expressed  the  readiness  of  his  majesty's 
government  to  adopt  that  course. 

I  next  passed  to  South   American  affairs.    I 
said  that  my  government  was  desirous  of  ascer- 
taining the  intentions  of  the  European  Alhance  in 
regard   to  the    contest  in  that  hemisphere,  and 
especially  of  learning  those  of  Great   Britain,  as 
far  as   she   might   be   disposed   to  communicate 
them.     The  information  was  sought   not  from  a 
mere  desire  to  draw  aside  the  veil  of  European 
politics,  but  from   the   deep  interest  the    United 
States  took  in  that  contest ;  and  they  asked  no- 
thing which  they  were  not  prepared  to  reciprocate, 
being  ready  to  disclose  witli  candour  their  own 
intentions.     INIy  government  was  not  uninformed 
of  a  general  purpose  of  mediation  by  the  European 
Alliance;  but  upon  what  precise  basis,  it  did  not 
know.     This  was  the  point  on  which  it  desired 
light. 

His  lordship  made  the  following  roj)lics.  He 
said,  that  the  British  government  was  not  oidy 
willing,  but  desired,  to  conmmnicate  to  the  Tnited 
States,  every  thing  in  relation  to  the  proposed 
mediation.     It  acknowledged  our  natural  interest 


[1818. 

,\intrics  in 

\lty.    His 
majesty's 

affairs.  1 
s  of  asccv- 
Alliancc  in 
sphere,  and 

Britain,  as 
:omn\unicatc 

not  from  a 
of  European 

the   United 
py  asked  no- 
o  reciprocate. 
>ur  their  o\vii 
uninformed 

the  European 
sis,  it  did  not 
lich  it  desired 

rcphes.    ^^^' 
>vas  not  ouK 
ic  to  t\vc  Vnited 
the  proposed 
natural  interest 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


331 


in  the  question:  but  that,  in  fuel,  no  })lan  for  the 
mediation  had  been  to  tliat  hour  matured.  Diffi- 
culties had  arisen  Avith  Spaiu,  on  points  tlic  most 
essential ;  they  were  increased  by  obstacles  to  a 
quick  iutcrcourse  of  counsels  among  parties  so 
remote  from  each  other,  as  Loudou,  St.  Peters- 
burgh,  Vienna,  and  Madrid;  even  the  place  for 
the  mediation  had  not  been  fixed  upon.  The 
allied  sovereigns,  ^hen  assemhliHl  at  Aix  la  Cha- 
pclle  in  the  autumn,  would  probably  take  up  the 
subject,  although  meeting  primarily  for  the  consi- 
deration of  others;  and  as  soon  as  a  basis  of 
pacification  Lad  l)een  laid  do>\  n,  he  would  not  fail 
to  apprize  me  of  it. 

Belbre  parting,  lie  gave  me  the  following  piece 
of  information :  that  in  consecpience  of  the  de[)re- 
dations  committed  u])on  the  lawfid  conunerce  of 
the  world  by  cruisers  ostensibly  sailing  under  com- 
missions from  the  Spanish  colonies,  the  iJritish 
government  had  issued  instrnctions  to  some  of  its 
armed  vessels  to  arrest  and  bring  in,  cruis(Ts  of 
tins  description,  lor  the  purpose  of  pntting  a  stop 
to  the  vexations  and  losses  they  inllicted  u[)on 
British  commerce.  He  added,  that  the  orders  i\k\ 
not  embrace  cruisers  litted  out  bona  fide  in  South 
Xmcrican  ports. 


«i 


332 


RESIDENCE    AT   THE 


[1818. 


r^-'-"- 

V 


jj""^- 


July  20.  Dined  at  Mr.  Villiers's,  north  Audley 
street ;  to  whom  I  owe  obhgation  for  kindnesses 
on  many  occasions,  and  not  less  for  his  invariable 
expressions  of  good  will  towards  my  country. 
Field  marshal  I^ord  Beresford,  Lord  Fitzroy 
Somerset  and  Lady  Fitzroy,  the  Duchess  of 
Wellington,  Mrs.  Pole,  Lord  Maynard,  Mr.  Pon- 
sonby,  Mrs.  Villiers,  and  my  wife,  were  the  party. 
Conversation  turned  chiefly  on  France.  It  was  in 
the  spirit  of  commendation  I  remark  to  be  so 
usual. 

After  dinner.  Lord  Beresford  in  conversation 
with  me,  spoke  of  the  United  States.  He  was 
under  the  impression  that  the  Union  would  not 
last.  Our  government  he  said  had  woi'st'  ^'^ 
tremely  well,  so  far;  but  must  give  way,  he  th  "  ^';t, 
when  the  country  grew  to  be  highly  populous  as 
well  as  powerful.  I  inculcated  other  doctrine, 
mentioning,  among  our  safeguards,  the  federa- 
tive and  national  principle  interwoven  in  our  con- 
stitution, and  referring  to  sbocks  which  the  Union 
had  already  withstood  in  peace  and  war.  He 
complimented  our  navy ;  it  had  taken  England  by 
surprise,  high  praise,  had  it  earned  no  other,  he 
said ;  but,  from   its  nature,  not  likely  to  happen 


[1818. 

h  Audley 
Lindnesses 
invariable 
'    country, 
d    Fitzroy 
uchcss    of 
,  Mr.  Pon- 
;  the  party. 
It  was  in 
k  to  be  so 

lonversation 
;.  He  was 
L  would  not 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


333 


again.    I  expressed  the  hope  that  all  such  occasions 
might  be  far  offj  in  which  lie  cordially  joined. 

July  21.     Mr.  *  *  *  *  called  upon  me.     He  said 
that  there   would   appear  in  the  next   Quarterly 
Review,  an  article  on  the  life  and  character  of 
Franklin.     It  was  to  be  the  medium  of  an  attack 
upon   the   United   States,    would   disparage    the 
people,  and  underrate  the  resources  of  the  nation. 
It  would  particularly  examine  the  claims  of  the 
United  States  as  a  naval  power,  and  strip  them  of 
importance.     It  would  state  their  tonnage  at  less 
than  nine  hundred  thousand,  and  as  decreasing ; 
endeavouring  to  show  from  this  and  other  things, 
that  their  maritime  resources  were  not  only  incon- 
siderable at  present,  but  not  formidable  in  pros- 
pect.    The  object  of  the  publication,  was  to  lower 
the  reputation  of   the  United  States  in  Europe. 
To  this  end,  it  would  be  translated  into  French, 
republished  in  Paris,  and  thence  widely  circulated. 
Finally,  that   the  article  was  already   known   to 
persons  who  stood  high  in  Eii;Tland,  and  counte- 
nanced by  them. 

The  last  part  of  what  my  informant  communi- 
cated, may,  or  may  not,  be  true.  The  whole,  is 
of  small  concern.    Cromwell  said,  tliat  a  srovcrn- 


334 


RESIDENCE   AT  THE 


[1818. 


6      ...  ; 


'    I 


>  i 


'i 


*~'4s)., 


merit  was  weak  that  could  not  stand  paper  shot. 
Who  then  shall  write  down  a  nation?    Insignifi- 
cant states  escape  assaults  of  the  pen ;  powerful 
ones  can  bear  them.     If  the  United  States  have 
long  been  exposed  to  these  assaults,  so  has  Eng- 
land.    They  come  upon  her  from  abroad,  but  more 
from  at  home.     Any  body  who  will  spend  a  few 
months  in  London,  and  look  at  only  a  portion  of 
the  publications  daily  thrown  from  the  press,  will 
be  surprised  at  the  denunciations  he  will  surely  find 
of  England,  written,  apparently,  with  full  thought 
and    deliberation.     The  crimes  and   other   enor- 
mities committed  by  her  people ;  the  profligacy  of 
the  lower  orders,  the  vices  of  the  higher;  the  cor- 
ruptions of  the  government,  its  partiality,  injustice. 
tyranny ;  the  abuses  of  law ;    the  abuses  in  the 
church ;  the  appalling  debt,  the  grinding  taxation. 
the  starving  poor,  the  pampered  rich — these  and 
like  topics  on  which  arc  based  assertions  of  wide- 
spread depravity  und  sufferings  unparalleled,  an 
urged  in  every  form,  and  run  out  into  all  details. 
It  is  not  the  cheap  unstamped  press,  which  alone 
reiterates  them ;  but  many  of  the  highest  and  most 
powerfully  supported  of  the  journals.     Sometimes 
France  is  attacked.,  sometimes  Russia,  sometimes 
the  Holy  Alliance,  sometimes  the  United  States; 


[1818. 

iper  shot. 

Insignifi- 
powerful 

tales  have 
has  Eng- 

1,  but  more 

pend  a  fc^v 

portion  of 

;  press,  >vill 

11  surely  find 

full  thouglii 

other   enor- 

profligacy  of 

her;  thccor- 

ity,  injustico. 
juscs  in  tl»c 
ing  taxation. 
1— these  and 
Lons  of  ^^i^lc• 
,vallelc(l,  arc 
[to  all  details. 
1,  which  ulouo 
[icst  and  most 
Sometime^ 
ia,  sometime? 
initcd  J^tatcs; 


1818.] 


COURT  OP  LONDON. 


335 


but  England  always.  The  battering-ram  against 
her  never  stops.  What  English  writers  thus  say 
of  their  own  country,  and  the  picture  is  commonly 
summed  up  with  confident  predictions  of  national 
ruin,  crosses  the  channel  next  day,  is  translated 
into  French,  and,  as  foretold  of  the  forthcoming 
article  in  the  Quarterly  Review,  circulated  over 
Europe.  In  a  month  it  has  crossed  the  Atlantic, 
and  is  circulating  in  America.  MilUons  read,  mil- 
lions believe  it.  In  the  midst  of  it  all  England 
continues  to  advance  in  prosperity  and  power; 
Europe  and  the  world  beholding  both  in  proofs 
that  are  irresistihle.  The  enlightened  portions  of 
the  world  perceive  also  alongside  of  the  picture  of 
moral  deformity  drawn  of  her  inhabitants,  no  mat- 
ter how  much  may  be  true  or  how  much  exaggera- 
ted, counteracting  fields  of  excellence,  public  and 
private,  that  exalt  the  English  nation  to  a  high 
pitch  of  sober  renown. 

It  is  in  this  manner  I  content  myself  as  a  citizen 
of  the  United  States.  The  last  forty  years  have 
witnessed  their  rapid  advance,  in  prosperity  and 
power  ;  Europe  and  the  world  heholding  both  in 
proofs  as  irresistible.  The  enlightened  portion  of 
the  world  will  also  infer,  that  a  nation  with  a  for- 
eign commerce  over-shadowing  that  of  the  greatest 


336 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


4^(»»i»a 


t      „ 


«."ar^- 


nations  of  Europe,  England  excepted ;  whose 
whole  tonnage  instead  of  nine  hundred  thousand, 
already  exceeds  fifteen  hundred  thousand ;  a  nation 
throughout  whose  borders  the  public  liberty  and 
prosperity  have  long  been  diffusing  the  means  of 
private  comfort  and  the  lights  of  general  education, 
the  enlightened  every  where  will  infer,  that  such  a 
nation  cannot  be  wanting  in  adequate  intellectual 
advancement  or  social  refinements,  any  more  than 
in  political  power.  They  follow,  through  the  indis- 
soluble connexion  between  causes  and  cflfects.  In- 
genuity and  ill-nature  hunting  for  exceptions,  may 
find  them,  as  they  surely  may  be  found  in 
England ;  but  the  great  field  of  excellence  re- 
mains. It  will  continue  to  widen,  until  Britain 
herself,  encompassed  as  she  is  with  glory,  will  in 
time  count  it  her  chicfost  glory,  to  have  been  the 
original  stock  of  such  a  peoi)le.  Of  the  often  de- 
nounced and  little  understood,  frame  of  our  govern- 
ment, a  British  statesman,  wanting  neither  in  saga- 
city nor  knowledge  of  history — Mr.  Fox — remarks, 
that  it  was  precisely  that  constitution  which  the 
wisest  men  of  the  world  would  give  to  the  people  of 
the  present  age,  supposing  that  they  had  to  begin 
on  a  clear  foundation,  and  not  to  destroy  any 
thing  existing  at  the  cost  of  anarchy  and  civil  war. 


'I 
it   I 


[1818. 

d ;    whose 
i  thousand, 
i;  a  nation 
Uberty  and 
3  means  of 
,1  education, 
that  such  a 
intellectual 
J  more  than 
^h  the  indis- 
cffects.    In- 
sptions,  may 
)c  found  in 
Lcellence  rc- 
mtil  Britain 
lory,  will  in 
.vc  been  the 
Ihc  often  dc- 
"ourgovern- 
Iher  in  saga- 
l\ — remarks, 
which  the 
me  people  of 
lad  to  begin 
llestroy  any 
kd  civil  war. 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


337 


Of  such  a  constitution,  the  citizen  of  the  United 
States  may  justly  boast ;  concluding  in  the  addi- 
tional words  of  Mr.  Fox,  that  it  is  the  "  British 
constitution  with  the  improvements  of  the  experi- 
ence of  ten  centuries."  Let  then  the  writers  of 
travels  and  reviews,  go  on.  What  they  say  in  a 
spirit  of  just  inquiry  or  temper  that  seeks  truth,  we 
ought  to  listen  to,  profiting  even  from  censure. 
But  *~  to  writers  o^  another  description — the 
,^je  Oi  Ignorant,  passionate,  scribblers — we  mis- 
spend time,  and,  I  need  not  add,  forget  self- 
dignity,  in  dweUing  upon  any  thing  that  comes 
from  them* 

July  23.  Received  a  note  from  Lord  Castlereagh 
requesting  I  would  meet  him  at  the  foreign  office 
to-day.  I  found  Mr.  Robinson  with  him.  The 
latter  is  president  of  the  board  of  Trade,  and  has 
recently  been  called  to  a  seat  in  the  cabinet. 

His  lordship  informed  me  that  he  had  made 
known  my  proposals  to  the  cabinet,  and  that  a 
general  negotiation  would  be  agreed  to,  on  all  the 
points  I  had  stated.  With  regard  to  the  commer- 
cial question,  the  British  government  did  not 
pledge  itself  to  a  departure  from  the  colonial  sys- 
tem in  any  degree  greater  than  hitherto,  but  would 
43 


338 


RESIDENCE   AT    THE 


[1818. 


r^r 


|WHlii,»e,«ii 
< 

I, 

""         t  '  - 


bring  the  whole  subject  under  review ;  willing  to 
hope,  though  abstaining  from  promises,  that  some 
modification  of  the  system  mutually  beneficial, 
might  be  the  result  of  frank  discussions  renewed 
at  the  present  juncture. 

I  replied  that  my  government  would  hear  this 
determination  with  great  satisfaction,  and  joined 
in  the  hope  that  the  new  eflfort  might  be  productive 
of  advantage  to  both  countries. 

I  now  informed  his  lordship  that  Mr.  Gallatin, 
minister  of  the  United  States  at  Paris,  would  take 
part  in  the  negotiation,  and  come  to  London  as 
soon  as  it  might  suit  the  convenience  of  his  majes- 
ty's government  to  appoint  plenipotentiaries  on  the 
side  of  Great  Britain. 

He  replied,  the  sooner  the  better,  saying,  that 
Mr.  Robinson  and  Mr.  Goulbourn  would  be  ap- 
pointed. He  added,  that  he  himself  would  be  obli- 
ged to  set  out  for  the  continent,  in  August,  to  at- 
tend the  Congress  at  Aix  la  Chapelle,  and  that  the 
negotiation  would  have  to  proceed  in  his  absence ; 
but  expressed  a  wish  that  it  might  open,  before  he 
left  town.  I  said  that  all  our  instructions  had  not 
got  to  hand,  but  we  expected  them  daily.  He 
asked,  whether,  to  guard  against  delays  incident 
to  a  general  negotiation,  I  was  prepared  to  agree 


[1818. 

willing  to 
that  some 
beneficial, 
I  renewed 

I  hear  this 
ind  joined 
productive 

[r.  Gallatin, 
would  take 
,  London  as 
(fhis  majes- 
taries  on  the 

,aying,  that 
ould  be  ap- 
)uldbeobli- 

igust,  to  at- 
nd  that  the 
lis  absence; 
1,  before  he 
Ions  had  not 
daily.    He 
tys  incident 
red  to  agree 


1818.] 


COURT    OF   LONDON. 


339 


separately  to  a  renewal  of  the  convention  of  1815, 
for  a  term  of  years  to  be  fixed.  I  informed  him 
that  I  was  in  possession  of  a  power  to  that  eflfect. 
From  the  manner  in  which  his  lordship  mention- 
ed this  subject,  and  it  was  for  the  third  time,  it 
was  evident  that  the  British  government  strongly 
desired  the  renewal  of  the  convention.  The 
United  States  desire  it  not  less.  In  the  early  part 
of  the  present  month,  by  information  transmitted 
to  me,  more  of  our  vessels  were  to  be  seen  in  the 
port  of  Liverpool,  than  those  of  any  foreign  power, 
or  even  English  vessels,  coasters  excepted.  The 
latter  fact  surprised  me.  It  may  be  taken  as  an 
indication  that  in  the  trade  between  the  two  coun- 
tries, the  United  States  are  likely  to  have  their 
equal  share  as  carriers,  as  long  as  the  charges 
upon  the  vessels  of  each,  continue  equal.  This  is 
all  that  the  United  States  ask.  It  is  the  offer  they 
make  to  all  nations.  They  hold  it  out  in  a  perma- 
nent statute,  as  the  basis  of  their  code  of  navigation. 

July  24.  Dined  yesterday  at  Sir  John  Sinclair's, 
Ormly-lodge,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Richmond. 
He  had  invited  us  to  come  in  the  morning  and 
spend  the  day,  for  the  sake  of  an  excursion  upon 
the  Thames.      Hampton   court,   Pope's  villa  at 


340 


RESIDENCE  AT   THE 


[1818. 


«. 

I  r 


i  -i- 


J-  ^t 


n 


Twickenham,  Strawberry-hill,  the  architecture  and 
scenes  of  which  Walpole  has  so  vividly  set  before 
us,  with  other  places  to  call  up  historical  or  classic 
recollections,  would  have  been  within  our  range ; 
but  we  were,  for  this  occasion,  disappointed.  My 
interview  with  Lord  Castlereagh  had  been  fixed 
for  an  hour  that  prevented  our  leaving  town  in 
season,  so  that  the  pleasure  of  dining  and  passing 
the  evening  at  Ormly-lodge,  was  all  we  could  com- 
mand. 

It  was  the  first  time  I  had  been  so  far  into  the 
country  since  our  arrival.  Gardens,  hedge-roAvs, 
village  churches,  houses  and  walls  with  ivy  grow- 
ing about  them,  met  the  eye  in  all  directions.  Here, 
were  evergreens,  cut  into  shapes  as  in  Queen 
Anne's  time ;  there,  the  modern  villa,  where  art 
was  exerted  to  avoid  all  appearances  of  it ;  so  that, 
even  in  this  short  distance,  the  taste  of  different 
ages  might  be  seen.  Looking  on  the  whole,  I 
could  not  avoid  the  thought,  that  the  lawns  so  neat 
and  fields  so  fertile,  were  the  same  ground  that  the 
plough  had  gone  through  when  the  Romans  were 
here.  The  more  did  this  thought  come  over  me, 
as  in  the  United  States  we  have  what  we  call  "o/c? 
fields,"*^  worn  out  by  too  much  use,  as  we  say,  and 
abandoned  on  that  account.     They  are  abandoned, 


1818.] 


COURT   OF  LONDON. 


341 


iture  and 
et  before 
or  classic 
ur  range ; 
ited.    My 
been  fixed 
a  town  in 
nd  passing 
could  corn- 
far  into  the 
tiedge-roAvs, 
h  ivy  grow- 
tions.  Here, 
s  in   Queen 
a,  where  art 
it ;  so  that, 
of  different 
he  whole,  I 
Avns  so  neat 
,und  that  the 
omans  were 
^e  over  me, 
we  call"oM 
we  say,  and 
abandoned, 


I  must  remark,  for  new  ones,  more  fertile;  but 
when  these  in  turn  become  "  old  Jiclds^''  it  seems 
we  need  be  in  no  despair  of  making  the  former 
^'- old  fields'''  fertile  again,  any  more  than  the  latter, 
it  being  certain  that  the  old  fields  of  old  England 
are  still  teeming  with  fertility.  We  drove  through 
Richmond  Park,  which  completed  the  beauty  of 
the  scene. 

Arrived  at  Ormly-lodge,  we  were  courteously 
received  at  the  door,  and  soon  went  to  dinner. 
Sir  John  and  Lady  Sinclair  with  several  members 
of  their  family,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Basil  Cochrane  of 
Portman  square,  Sir  Benjamin  and  Lady  Hobhouse, 
with  a  few  others,  made  the  party.     Sentiments 
the  most  liberal,  were  expressed  towards  the  United 
States,  both  Sir  John  Sinclair  and  Sir  Benjamin 
Hobhouse  having  an  acquaintance  with  their  con- 
cerns that  belonged  to  enlightened  and  inquiring 
minds.    The  latter  was  president  of  the  Agricul- 
tural Society  at  Bath.     Ho  spoke  of  the  agricul- 
ture of  the  United  States.     It  had  long  been  his 
desire,  he  said,  that  the  agriculturists  of  the  two 
countries  should  correspond,  exchanging  observa- 
tions, and  the  results  of  their  experiments.     I  said 
that  those  of  my  country  could  scarcely  object, 
seeing  how  much  they  would  be  likely  to  gain. 


342 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


I 


1  ! 


I. 


?»".-■■. 


-.  I 


H 


••*"*.iif.;.,,. 


Ill  ! 


He  replied,  that  agriculturists  in  England  would 
gain  too,  and  spoke  of  the  advantage  he  had  him- 
self derived  from  a  correspondence  with  Mr. 
Peters  of  Belmont,  president  of  the  Agricultural 
Society  at  Philadelphia ;  to  whose  knowledge  he 
bore  testimony,  and  his  happy  manner  of  impart- 
ing it.  He  spoke  of  Mr.  Coke's  farm  at  Holkham, 
in  Norfolk ;  it  was  in  the  highest  order  in  which 
it  seemed  possible  for  land  to  be,  to  illustrate  pro- 
ductive and  beautiful  husbandry;  he  did  not  know 
that  a  weed  could  be  found  upon  it.  He  called  it 
horticulture,  upon  a  great  scale.  This  celebrated 
farm  consists  of  several  thousand  acres ;  the  en- 
closure round  his  park  was  stated  to  be  ten  miles 
in  extent;  his  whole  estate  in  that  county,  to  con- 
tain about  forty  thousand  acres.  Having  had  the 
gratification,  at  a  subsequent  day,  of  visiting  Mr. 
Coke  at  his  Holkham  estate,  I  am  here  reminded 
of  what  he  told  me  was  jocosely  said  when  he  first 
took  possession  of  it;  viz.  that  there  was  but  one 
blade  of  grass  on  the  whole,  for  which  two  rabbits 
were  fighting !  All  accounts  agree,  that  it  was 
sterile.  Skilful  farming,  aided  by  capital,  had 
brought  it,  in  the  course  of  a  single  life,  into  the 
state  Sir  Benjamin  Hobhouse  described,  and  repaid, 
as  was  added,  the  large  expenditures  upon  it.  The 


ii 


[1818. 

ad  would 

had  him- 

with   Mr. 

orricultural 

►wledge  he 

of  impart- 

L  Holkham, 

3r  in  which 

istrate  pro- 

d  not  know 

He  called  it 

s  celebrated 

res;  the  en- 
»e  ten  miles 

mty,  to  con- 
ing had  the 
visiting  Mr. 
ire  reminded 
hen  he  first 
was  but  one 
\ch  two  rabbits 
that  it  was 
capital,  had 
|Ufe,  into  the 
•d,  and  repaid, 
upon  it.  The 


1818.] 


COURT   OF    LONDON, 


343 


remark  from  Brougham's  Colonial  Policy  about 
Holland  was  quoted:  viz.  that  that  country  owed 
its  rich  agriculture  to  a  combination  of  defects 
in  both  soil  and  climate,  which  put  man  more 
upon  his  own  efforts.  What  a  lesson  to  nations, 
as  to  individuals!  The  principle  of  the  remark, 
may  be  applied  to  England  also;  who,  with  her  su- 
perabundant riches  and  strength,  is  greatly  stinted 
in  natural  advantages  bestowed  with  a  profuse  hand 
upon  many  other  nations. 

Sir  John  Sinclair's  c(  nversation  w  as  instructive 
and  entertaining.  He  had  the  double  fund  of  a 
large  mixture  with  the  world  end  books,  to  draw 
from.  Early  rising  was  a  topic;  h^.  thought  it 
less  conducive  to  health  than  .vas  general)  y  sup- 
posed, owing  to  the  morning  exhalations ;  we  heard 
of  the  robustness  of  the  old  Saxons,  but  he  doubted 
if  they  were  as  powerful  a  race,  physically,  as  the 
English  of  the  present  day ;  and  as  to  their  going 
to  bed  at  dark,  and  getting  up  with  the  dawn,  that, 
he  pleasantly  said,  was  natural  among  a  people 
ignorant  of  the  art  of  making  candles!  In  the 
evening,  further  company  arrived  from  neighbour- 
ing country  seats ;  of  the  number,  were  the  Miss 
Penns,  descenda  ais  of  the  founder  of  Pennsylvania. 
Pastimes  followed,  promoted  and  shared  by  Sir 


344 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


John,  whose  qualities  in  private  hfe  do  not  fall 
behind  those  that  have  made  him  known  to  his 
country  as  a  public  man  and  author.  I  mentioned 
on  a  former  page  the  Chancellor  of  the  exchequer's 
opinion  of  his  work  on  the  British  finances ;  I  add, 
that  on  asking  Mr.  Coke  what  work  might  be  con- 
sulted with  most  advantage  on  the  agriculture  of 
England,  he  replied,  that  he  knew  of  none,  by  a 
private  hand,  better  than  Sir  John  Sinclair's:— 
high  testimonials.  We  were  driven  back  to 
London  at  mid-night  over  Hounslow  heath,  a  dark, 
dreary  place,  but  no  longer  a  scene  of  robberies ; — if 
English  novels,  and  their  criminal  calendar,  furnish 
accounts  of  these,  as  materials  for  the  imagination, 
it  might  also  associate  the  shouts  of  James's 
army,  encamped  on  this  same  heath,  on  hearing  of 
tlic  acquittal  of  the  seven  bishops. 


July  27.  Dined  at  Mr.  Jeremy  Bentham's.  If 
Mr.  Bentham's  character  be  peculiar,  so  is  his  place 
of  residence. 

From  my  house  north  of  Portman  square,  I  was 
driven  nearly  three  miles  through  streets  for  the 
most  part  long  and  wide,  until  I  passed  Westmin- 
ster Abbey.  Thereabouts,  things  changed;  the 
streets  grew  narrow,  and  all  the  houses  seemed  fall- 


1818.] 


COURT   OF   LONDON. 


345 


ing  down  with  age.  Crowds  were  as  thick,  but  not 
as  good  looking,  as  about  Cornhill  and  the  Poultry. 
In  a  little  while  I  retiched  the  purlieus  of  Queen- 
gqiiare-place.  The  farther  I  advanced,  the  more 
confined  was  the  space;  at  length,  turning 
through  a  gate-way,  the  passage  was  so  narrow, 
that  I  thought  the  wheels  of  my  carriage  w  ouW  have 
grazed.  It  was  a  kind  of  blind-alloy,  the  end  of 
which  widened  into  a  small,  neat,  court  yard. 
There,  by  itself,  stood  Mr.  Bentham's  house. 
Shrubbery  graced  its  area,  nnd  flowers  its  window- 
sills.  It  was  like  an  oasis  in  the  desert ;  its  name 
— the  ITermitJiire. 

1'^ntering,  he  received  me  with  the  simplicity  of 
a  philoriopher.  I  should  have  tnken  him  for  se- 
venty or  upwards.  Every  thing  inside  of  the  house, 
was  orderly.  Th(^  furniture  seemed  to  have  been 
unmoved  since  the  days  of  his  fathers;  fori  learned 
that  it  was  a  patrimony.  A  parlour,  library,  and 
dining  room,  made  up  the  suite  of  apartments.  In 
each,  was  a  piano,  the  eccentric  master  of  the  whole 
bring  fond  of  music,  as  the  recreation  of  his  literary 
hours.  It  was  a  unique,  romantic  little  homestead. 
Walking  with  him  into  his  garden,  I  found  it  dark 
with  the  shade  of  ancient  trees;  which  formed 
H  barrier  against  intrusion.  In  one  part,  was  a 
44 


346 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


1 


high,  dead  wall,  the  back  of  a  neighbour's  house, 
mouldering  under  the  hand  of  time.     In  that  house, 
he  informed  me,  Milton  had  lived.     Perceiving  that 
I  took  an  interest  in  this  fact,  he  soon  afterwards 
obtained  a  relic  from  the  house  and  sent  it  to  me. 
It  was  an  old  carved  baluster,  from  the  staircase, 
whicl\;  there  was  reason  to  think  the  hand  of  the 
great  bard  had  often  grasped — so  said  the  note  that 
accompanied  the  relic.    The  interest  I  took  in  tliis 
little  article,  appeared  to  him  extraordinary.    The 
English  who  grow  up  surrounded  by  the  memorials 
of  their   great  men,  or  events  of  their  history, 
lose  something  of  their  sensibility  to  them;  im- 
pressions  constantly  renewed,  become  weak ;  but 
they  strike  upon  a   citizen  of  the  United  States 
all  at  once,  awakening  his  curiosity  and  exciting  his 
feelings. 

The  company  was  small,  but  choice.  ]\Tr. 
Brougham,  Sir  Samuel  Uomilly,  iMr.  Mill,  author 
of  the  well  known  work  on  India,  M.  Dumont,  the 
learned  Genevan,  once  the  associate  of  Mirabeaii. 
in  the  early  scenes  of  the  Frenrh  revolution,  weri' 
all  who  sat  down  to  table.  Mr.  Bentham  did  not 
talk  much.  He  had  a  benevolence  of  manner  suited 
to  the  philanthropy  of  his  mind.  He  seemed  to  be 
thinking  only  of  the  convenience  and  pleasure  ol 


[1818. 

jr's  house, 
that  house, 
reiving  that 

afterwards 
nt  it  to  me. 
ic  staircase, 
hand  of  the 
:hc  note  that 

took  in  tliis 
inary.  The 
16  memorials 
heir  history, 
3  them;  im- 
e  w  eak ;  hut 
Tnitcd  States 
exciting  his 

:hoicc.    Mr. 

Mill,  author 
Dinnont,  the 
)f  Miiaheaiu 
[>lution,  were 
mim  (li<l  not 

lanner  suited 
teemed  to  he 
plcasurcj  ot 


1818.] 


COURT    OF   LONDON. 


347 


his  guests ;  not  as  a  rule  of  artificial  breeding,  as 
from  Chesterfield  or  Madame  Genlis,  but  from  in- 
nate feeling.  Bold  as  are  his  opinions  in  his  works, 
here  he  was  wholly  unobtrusive  of  theories  that 
might  not  have  commanded  the  assent  of  all  pre- 
sent. Something  else  was  remarkable.  When  he 
did  converse,  it  was  in  simple  language,  a  contrast 
to  his  later  writings,  where  an  involved  style,  and 
the  use  of  new  or  unusual  words,  arc  drawbacks 
upon  tlie  speculations  of  a  genius  original  and  pro- 
found, but  with  the  faults  of  solitude.  Yet  some 
of  his  earlier  productions,  are  distinguished  by  clas- 
sical brevity  and  clearness. 

Mr.  Brougham  talked  with  rapidity  and  energy, 
''^here  was  a  tpiickness  in  his  bodily  movements  in- 
dicative of  the  quickness  of  his  thoughts.  He 
showed  in  conversation  the  universality  and  disci- 
pline that  he  exhibits  in  parliament  and  the  courts 
of  law.  The  aftairs  of  South  America,  English 
authors,  Johnson — Pope — Swift — Milton — Dryden 
—Addison  (the  criticisuis  of  the  last  on  Paradise 
Lost  he  thought  poor  things ;)  anecdotes  of  the 
living  judges  of  England  ;  of  lord  chancellors, 
living  and  dead ;  the  <M'rors  in  Burrow';^  Reports, 
not  always  those  of  the  re|)orter,  he  said  ;  the  uni- 
versities of  Oxford  and  Cambridge;  the  constitu^ 


r- 


348 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


% 


V 


■f 


tion  of  the  United  Statas — these  were  topics  that 
he  touched  with  the  promptitude  and  power  of  a 
master.  He  quoted  from  the  ancient  classics,  and 
poets  of  modern  Italy,  (the  latter  in  the  origintil 
also)  not  with  the  ostentation  of  scholarship,  which 
he  is  above,  but  as  if  they  came  out  whether  he 
would  or  no,  amidst  the  multitude  of  his  irrepressi- 
ble ideas  and  illustrations.  He  handled  nothing 
at  length,  but  with  a  happy  brevity ;  the  rarest  art 
in  conversation,  when  loaded  with  matter  like  \m. 
Sometimes  he  despatched  a  subject  in  a  parenthesis ; 
sometimes  by  a  word,  that  told  like  a  blow.  Not 
long  after  this  my  first  meeting  with  him,  one  of  his 
friends  informed  me  that  a  gentleman  whose  son 
was  about  to  study  law,  asked  him  what  books  he 
ought  to  read  ?  "  Tell  Jiim  to  begin  with  Demosthenes 
and  Dante  J*"*  What,  to  make  a  lawyer?  said  the  father. 
"  F<9**,"  he  replied,  "«/?rf  if  you  don''t  take,  we  wotCt  ar- 
gue about  it,''''  Mr.  Mill,  M.  Dumont,  and  Sir  Samuel 
Romilly,did  their  parts  towards  keeping  up  the  ball 
of  conversation,  which  however  was  hit  oftcne?t 
and  hardest  by  Mr.  Brougham,  though  he  did  not 
monopolize,  any  more  than  argue.  Sheridan  being 
spoken  of.  Sir  Samuel  Jlomilly,  who  had  frequently 
heard  him  in  the  House  of  Commons,  said,  that 
nothing  could  be  more  marked  than  the  dill'ercncc 


[1818. 

)pics  that 
)\ver  of  a 

ssics,  ami 

ic  ori<^in5il 

hip,  >vliicli 

whether  lie 
irrcpressi- 

led  nothing 

e  rarest  art 

ter  hkc  his. 

)arenthesis ; 

blow.    Not 

m,  one  of  his 

in  whose  son 

lat  books  he 
Pemostheim 
id  the  father. 
I,  we  won'  (ir- 
td  Sir  Samuel 
ng  up  the  hall 
hit  oftene^t 
[h  he  did  not 
^cridan  beinj^ 
lad  frequently 
^ns,  said,  that 
the  dilVerence 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


349 


between  the  parts  of  his  speeches  previously  arran- 
ged for  delivery,  and  the  extemporaneous  parts. 
The  audience  could  discover  in  a  moment  when  he 
fell  into  the  latter.  It  was  well  known,  he  remark- 
ed, that  all  the  highly  wrought  passages  in  his 
speeches  on  Hastings'  impeachment,  were  prepared 
before  hand  and  committed  to  memory.  I  asked 
whether  by  writing  down,  or  only  by  the  mind  pre- 
viously arranging  the  language  and  throw  ing  it  upon 
the  memory,  without  the  pen.  He  seemed  to  thiidv 
the  former,  adding  that  Sheridan  was  slow,  notwith- 
standing his  apparent  quickness ;  and  not  a  w  ell- 
informed  man,  for  his  high  standing  and  fame. 

After  we  rose  from  table,  Mr.  Bentbam   sought 

conversation  with  me  about    the   United   States. 

"Keep  your  salaries  low,"  said  he;  "it  is  one  of 

the  secrets  of  the  success  of  vour  jiovernment." 

"  But  what  is  this,"  he  inquired,  "  called  a  board  of 

navy  commissioners  that  you  have  lately  set  up;  I 

don't  understand  it?"     I  explained  it  to  hinj.     "I 

can't  say  that  1  like  it,"  he  re[)lied;  *'  tiie  sim|)Hcity 

of  your  public  departments  has  lieretolbre  been  one 

of  dieir  reconnnendations,  but  IhuwiJs  make  screens; 

if  any  thing  goes  wrong,  you  don't  know  where  to 

tind  the  otfender;  it  was  the  board  that  did  it,  not 

one  of   the    members:    always    the    hoards    the 


350 


RESIDENCE   AT   THE 


[1818. 


hoard  r  I  got  home  at  a  late  hour,  having  wit- 
nessed a  degree  of  intellectual  point  and  strength 
throughout  the  whole  evening,  not  easily  to  have 
been  exceeded. 


^f**Sf. 


% 

>• 


July  30.  The  French  ambassador  gave  an  en- 
tertainment to  the  Prince  Regent.  There  were 
present  all  the  foreign  ambassadors  and  ministers, 
Lord  Castlercagh,  Lord  Melville,  Lord  Stewart, 
Lord  Binning,  the  vice  chancellor,  and  other  offi- 
cial characters,  the  company  being  large.  The 
dinner  arrangements  were  in  part  on  the  models  of 
France ;  the  wines  were  Burgundy,  Tokay,  La-fitte, 
St.  Julien,  sillery  champagne  non  mousscux,  and 
others  in  esteem  at  such  tables;  all,  as  is  the  custom 
in  England,  on  the  table  at  the  same  time,  to  be 
used  as  preferred.  In  the  fruit  course,  were  dis- 
played the  mingled  fruits  of  France  and  England; 
from  the  gardens  of  the  former,  and  hot  houses  of 
the  latter.  In  England  it  is  only  by  heat  so  ob- 
tained, that  fruit  can  have  its  full  flavour;  yet  so 
numerous  all  over  the  island  are  these  receptacles 
of  artificial  heat,  that  they  become  as  another  sun 
to  the  I'inglish  climate. 

Beautitid  as  was  tiie  appearance  of  every  thin^if, 
the  chief  attraction  did  not  lie  there;  but  in  the  dis- 


I   > 


[1818. 

ing  wit- 
strength 
to  have 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


351 


ve  an  en- 

tere  were 

nunistcrs, 

[  Stewart, 

other  offi- 

irge.    The 

3  models  of 

ay,  La-fitte, 

i/sscM.r,  and 
the  custom 
time,  to  be 
;,  were  dis- 
id  England; 
ot  houses  of 
heat  so  ob- 
^our;  yet  so 
receptacles 
[another  sun 

[every  thin?, 
ut  in  the  dis- 


tinguished entertainers,  the  Marquis  and  Marchio- 
ness D'Osmond.     French  society  has  always  been 
celebrated;  the  Sevignes,  the  du  Dcffands,  the  de 
Levises,  and  a  thousand  others,  have  told  us  of  it. 
The  manners  of  the  French  of  those  days,  in  spite 
of  the  alloy  mixed  with  them,  conunand  admiration, 
and  are  embalmed  in  the  literature  of  the  nation; 
it  may  be  added,  of  Europe.     Their  influence  sur- 
vives in  France;  for  even  those  who  discard  totally 
French  politics  of  the  same  ages,  cherish  the  ex- 
ample of  personal  accomplishments  that  gave  grace 
and  ornament  to  social  life.     The  memory  of  them 
was  recalled  on  the  occasion  of  this  entertainment. 
But  among  personages  of  the  class  assembled, 
exterior  attractions  are  not  all   that  engage  the 
thoughts.     Dinners  and  entertainments   are  epi- 
sodes, and  in  the  drawing  rooms  of  London  as 
saloons  of  Paris,  often  become  subservient  to  the 
main  occupation.     "  What  is  It^''  whispered  to  me 
in  the  course  of  the  evening  an  ambassador  from 
one  of  the  great  powers,  "  what  is  it  wc  hear  about 
Pensacola?    are  you  going  to    have   difficu/fj/  ivith 
Spin  /"'    I  replied,  that  I  hoped  not.     3Tay  I  hear 
from  you  the  circumstances — /  should  be  ghtd  to  in- 
form my  court  what  they  areJ*^     I  said  they  were 
simply  these:  The  United  States  were  at  war  with 


0 


i; 


tT"'* 


% 


I  r 


■I 


.  _!.*5i4i 


352 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


the  Seminole  Indians,  a  tribe  dwelling  partly  in  Flo- 
rida ;  Spain  was  bound  by  treaty  to  restrain  their 
hostilities  from  within  her  own  line ;  nevertheless, 
they  crossed  the  line,  attacked  our  people,  and  fell 
back  into  Florida ;  there,  they  recruited  for  new 
attacks,  and  when  pursued,  found  shelter,  it  was 
hoped   without  the  knowledge    of  Spain,  in   the 
Spanish  posts  of  St.  Marks  and  Pensacola.     Such, 
in  a  word,  were  the  faces  on  which  General  Jack- 
son, commander  of  inc  United  States  troops,  had 
acted.     He  had  accordingly  taken  possession  of 
those  fortresses ;  not  as  an  act  of  hostility  to  Spain, 
but  in  necessary  prosecution  of  the  war  against  the 
Indians,  and  defence  of  our   own  frontier.    The 
ambassador  said,  that  Europe  would  look  with  in- 
terest upon  the  progress  of  the  affair.     I  gave  the 
same  information  to  one  of  the  ministers  plenipo- 
tentiary.    The  latter  remarked,  that  the  diplomatic 
corps  w^ere  full  of  the  news ;  for,  said  he,  wc  Jmve 
had  nothing  of  late  so  exciting;  it  smacks  of  war.'''' 
I  said,  that  I  had  no  belief  that  the  United  States 
would  detain  the  posts  an  hour  after  the  necessity 
that  led  to  their  being  taken,  ceased. 

Mr.  Poletecca,  appointed  minister  from  Russia 
to  the  United  States,  was  of  the  company.  He 
spoke  of  the  friendly  dispositions  he  should  carry 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


353 


with  him  to  my  country,  by  command  of  his  sove- 
reign.    So  strongly,  he  said,  were  his  instructions 
imbued  with  this  spirit,  that  he  would  not  scruple 
to  read   them   to   Mr.  Adams,  when  he  got   to 
Washington.     I  learned,  not  from  Mr.  Poletecca, 
but  otherwise,   that  they  related   in   part  to  the 
United  States  joining  the  Holy  Alliance.  This  may 
seem  strange.    It  may  be  explained  by  the  remark, 
that  there  was  nothing  objectionable  in  the  ends 
proposed   on   the  face  of  this  alliance;    religion, 
peace,  and  justice  aniorig  nations,  being  its  pro- 
fessed objects.   It  was,  however,  a  sufficient  objec- 
tion to  any  free  government  becoming  party  to  it, 
that  it  sprung  from  the  wills  of  irresponsible  sove- 
reigns, was  perfected  by  their  autograph  signatures, 
and  susceptible,  from  its  very  nature,  of  being  in- 
terpreted and  enforced  to  their  own  ends.    The 
emperors  of  Russia  and  Austria,  and  the  king  of 
Prussia,  first  signed  it.     England  declined ;  on  the 
ground  that  by  the  forms  of  her  constitution  no 
treaty  or  league  of  any  kind  was  ever  signed  by  the 
monarch  in  person,  but  by  ministers  responsible  to 
the  nation.     A  representative  of  one  of  the  second 
rate  powers  of  Europe  remarked  to  me  at  this  din- 
ner, on  the  mortification  which  such  powei*s  felt  at 
baring  all  their  movements  brought  under  the  in- 
45 


354 


RESIDENCE   AT  THE 


[1818. 


spection  and  control  of  this  alliance.  He  told, 
very  happily  I  thought  in  this  connexion,  the  anec- 
dote of  the  Dutch  ambassador  who  was  sent  to 
make  peace  with  Louis  XIV.,  after  his  first  suc- 
cesses against  Holland;  but  who,  on  hearing  the 
extravagant  terms  demanded  by  Louis,  swooned 
away,  as  being  of  a  nature  never  to  be  yielded,  and 
which  he  knew  not  how  to  resist ! 

The  Prince  Regent  sat  on  the  right  of  the 
French  ambassador,  and  the  whole  entertainment 
was  sumptuous.  The  company  remained  until  a 
late  hour  in  the  drawing  rooms,  under  the  spell  of 
French  affability  and  taste. 


n 


July  31.  Had  an  interview  with  Lord  Castle- 
reagh,  by  appointment,  at  the  French  ambassa- 
dor's, yesterday.  He  informed  me  that  the  court 
of  Madrid  had  made  propositions  to  Great  Britain 
to  mediate  between  Spain  and  her  colonies,  and 
invited  the  European  Alliance  to  join.  The  invita- 
tion was  given  in  a  note  from  the  Spanish  ambas- 
sador in  London,  written  early  this  month.  He 
had  not  known  it  at  the  time  of  our  interview  on 
the  sixteenth,  having  then  just  got  back  from  Ire- 
land, and  a  convenient  opportunity  of  noticing  it 
had  not  offered  when  we  were  together  afterwards. 


[1818. 

He  told, 
,  the  anec- 
[vs  sent  to 
[s  first  suc- 
liearing  the 
s,  swooned 
yielded,  and 


1818.]  COURT    OF    LONDON.  355 

He  had  therefore  sought  tliis  interview.  He 
could  not  better  unfold  the  subject  than  by  put- 
ting into  my  hands  the  notes  that  had  passed  on 
the  occasion ;  first,  the  one  from  the  Spanish  am- 
bassador ;  next,  the  answer  of  the  British  govern- 
ment, drawn  up  a  few  days  ago ;  thirdly,  as  coup- 
ling itself  with  the  subject,  a  note  of  the  British 
government  of  the  twenty-eighth  of  August  1817, 
addressed  to  the  allied  powers  and  made  known  to 
Spain,  containing  thu  sentiments  of  Great  Britain 
as  to  a  mediation  at  that  time. 

I  read  each  note.     The  introductory  matter  of 
the  Spanish  ambassador's  spoke  of  the  rebellious 
nature  of  the  war  in  the  colonies,  of  the  past  clem- 
ency of  Spain,  and  her  contii  ued  willingness  to  ter- 
minate the  quarrel.     It  then  laid  down  the  follow- 
ing as  the  basis  on  which  a  mediation  was  asked : 
1.  An  amnesty  to  the  colonies  on  their  being  re- 
duced.     Lord  Castlereagh   explained    this   word, 
which  was  a  translation  from  the  Spanish,  by  say- 
ing that  Spain  did  not  mean  conquered^  but  only 
that  the  colon  ks  must   desist  from  hostility.     2. 
The  king  of  Spain  to  employ  in  his  public  service 
in  America,  qualified  Americans  as  well  as   Euro- 
pean Spaniards.    3.  The  king  to  grant  the  colonies 
privileges  of  trade  adapted  to  the  existing  posture  of 


356 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


t     ; 


things.  4.  The  king  to  acquiesce  in  all  measures 
the  mediating  powers  might  suggest  to  effect  the 
above  objects. 

The  British  answev  approved  the  propositions, 
as  general  ones,  but  called  for  explanations  by 
which  the  meaning  of  some  of  them  might  be  ren- 
dered more  definite.  It  expressed  an  opinion  that 
the  dispute  ought  to  be  healed  without  taking  away 
the  political  supremacy  of  the  parent  state.  It 
declared  that  the  trade  of  the  colonies  ought  to  be 
free  to  the  rest  of  the  world,  the  mother  country 
being  placed  upon  a  footing  of  reasonable  prefer- 
ence. Lastly,  it  made  known,  that  Great  Britain 
would  do  no  more  than  interpose  friendly  offices, 
using  no  compulsion  should  they  fail. 

The  British  note  of  August  1817,  related  chiefly 
to  the  commercial  freedom  of  the  colonies  and  the 
non-employment  of  force.  It  was  very  explicit 
on  the  first  point,  going  the  length  the  United 
States  had  done,  of  saying  that  Great  Britain 
would  accept  no  privileges  of  trade  at  the  hands  of 
the  colonies  not  open  to  other  nations ;  and  on  the 
second  point,  unequivocally  disavowing  all  inten- 
tion of  forcing  the  colonies  by  arms,  into  any 
measures  whatever.  The  proffered  mediation  at 
this  period  went  off  on  the  question  of  the  slave 


[1818. 

leasures 
ffect  the    • 

positions, 
itions  by 
tit  be  ren- 
inion  that 
king  away 
state.    It 
ught  to  be 
er  country 
ible  prefer- 
eat  Britain 
idly  offices, 

ated  chiefly 
lies  and  the 
ery  exphcit 
the  United 
•eat  Britain 
^he  hands  of 
and  on  the 
(T  all  inten- 
ts,  into  any 
Imediation  at 
f  the  slave 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


357 


trade,   Britain   urging   its  abolition  by  Spain  on 
terms  to  which  the  latter  would  not  then  assent. 

These  state  papers,  the  purport  of  which  I  give 
succinctly,  without  following  the  precise  words, 
record  the  opinions  of  Great  Britain  on  the 
settlement  of  this  contest  at  the  epochs  indicated. 

When  I  had  finished  reading  them,  his  lordship 
asked  if  I  was  in  possession  of  the  views  of  my 
own  government  as  to  a  basis  of  settlement. 

I  replied  in  the  affirmative ;  informing  him  that 
the  desire  of  my  government  was,  that  the  colonies 
should  be  completely  emancipated  from  the  parent 
state.  It  was  also  of  opinion,  that  the  contest 
never  would,  or  could,  be  settled  otherwise. 

I  added,  that  the  United  States  would  decline  taking 
part,  if  they  took  part  at  all,  in  any  planof  pacijica" 
Hon,  except  on  the  basis  of  the  independence  of  the  colo- 
nies. 

This  was  the  determination  to  which  my  govern- 
ment had  come,  on  much  deliberation,  and  I  was 
bound  to  communicate  it  in  full  candour.  It  had 
hoped  that  the  views  of  Great  Britain  would 
have  been  the  same. 

His  lordship  appeared  to  receive  the  communi- 
cation with  regret.     He  admitted  that  the  United 


358 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


States  stood  in  different  relations  to  the  contest, 
from  those  whicli  Great  Ikitain  held ;  as  well  by 
reason  of  the  European  eng{i<^ements  of  the  latter, 
f*°  other  causes.     Still,   he  sincerely  desired   that 
our  two  governments  should  have  acted  in  full  har- 
mony of  opinion,     lie  perceived  the  deep  interest 
which  the  United  States  had  in   the  whole  ques- 
tion ;   on  which   account  their  concurrence  with 
Europe  on  all  the  grounds  of  mediation,  althoufrli 
they  took   no  part  in    it,  would   not  have   been 
without   an    influence    in    rendering   it    effectual. 
The  fundamental  point  of  differc^ncc  was  further 
discussed  between  us;  but  I  gave  his  lordship  no 
reason  to  suppose  that  the  determination  of  the 
United  States  would  undcM'jro  a  cbauiie.     The  con- 
vci'sation  was  conducted  and  tenninated  in  a  spirit 
altogiither  conciliatory. 

The  policy  of  tlu;  United  States  on  the  groat 
cpiestion  of  Spanish  American  IndopeiuKMU'e,  coiikl 
not  have  been  different.  They  owed  it  to  the  actnni 
position  of  the  colonies;  to  their  future  destinies; 
to  the  cause  of  human  libcM'ty  in  the  new  hemis|)hore. 
Tiieir  determination  to  act  upon  this  policy,  was 
accelerated  by  the  exertions  of  a  distinguished 
patriot  and  statesman,  of  the  republic,  Mr.  Clay: 


the 


[1818. 

contest, 
well  by 
ic  latter, 
red   that 
I  full  liar- 
p  interest 
lole  (luesj- 
mcc  Avitli 
althouffh 
lavc   beon 
cffectu.ll. 
as  farther 
Ljrdship  no 
ion  of  tlie 
The  con- 
in  a  spirit 


1818.] 


COURT   OF    LONDON. 


359 


whose  comprehensive  forecast  outran  the  doubts  of 
others,  and  whose  commanding  eloquence,  never 
tiring  in  this  cause,  made  its  impression  on  the 
legislative  counsels  and  public  opinion  of  the  nation. 
It  was  a  noble  spectacle  to  see  the  United  States 
stretch  out  their  powerful  baud  to  these  infant  com- 
munities, anticipating  the  freest  government  of  Eu- 
rope in  announcing  the  decree  of  their  independence; 
a  branch  of  European  and  American  affairs  on 
which  I  may  have  more  to  say,  if  this  work  be 
continued.  Mr.  Canning  at  a  subsequent  day, 
earned  a  just  and  brillant  portion  of  his  fame,  by 
throwing  the  nnghty  JEg'iA  of  Uritain  over  their 
freedom;  which  but  enhances  the  fame  of  their 
American  champion,  who  was  foremost  in  the 
competition. 

When  we  had  done  with  this  subject,  his  lordship 
asked  if  i  had  any  accounts  from  my  government 
of  the  capture  of  iVnsacola.  I  said,  none  as  yet 
that  were  official ;  but  I  improved  the  opportunity,  as 
in  other  instances  at  the  Ereneh  ambassador's,  of 
iMviiijr  him  an  outline  of  the  transaction,  lie  ex- 
pressed  a  hope  that  it  woidd  not  lead  to  a  breach  of 
our  peaceful  relations  with  Spain,  adding  that 
nothing  had  yet  been  niceived  on  tlu;  subj<'ct  from 
the  British  minister  at  Washington. 


360 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


August  12.  Called  at  the  foreign  office,  to  in- 
form Mr.  Planta,  that  Mr.  Gallatin  would  probably 
arrive  in  England  in  a  few  days,  by  way  of  Dover, 
on  the  business  of  the  negotiation.  I  requested 
that  the  necessary  passports  might  be  forwarded 
for  according  to  him  every  facility  in  landing  and 
coming  to  London. 


[1818. 

ce,  to  in- 
i  probably 
of  Dover, 
requested 
forwarded 
.nding  and 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


361 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

Interview  with  lord  <  astlkrf:agh — impressment 

CASES     OF       ARBLTHNOT     AND     AMURISTI^R,         MR. 

GALLATIN  ARRIVES  IN  LONDON.  PREPARATORY 
CONFERENCE  AT  NORTH  CRAY,  THE  SEAT  OF  LORD 
CASTLEREAGH,  IN  KENT,  WHERE  THE  NEGOTIATORS 
DINE  AND  PASS  THE  NIGHT.  APPEARANCES  OF  THE 
COUNTRY.  OPENING  OF  THE  NECOTIATION— THE 
POINTS  RECAPITULATED.  LAST  INTERVIEW  WITH 
LORD  CASTLEREAGH  ON  IMPRESSMENT,  PRIOR  TO  HIS 
DEPARTURE  FOR  AIX  LA    <  HAPELLE, 


August  14.  Ciilled  o'l  Lord  CastlorP!\jrh  by  his 
invitation. 

He  inlbrniod  motliat  c  lu-cs  had  occurred  lo  pre- 
vent tlie  congress  of  s^fnercimir-  asse!ul)linii^  at  Aix 
la  Clia[)elle  as  soon  as  had  boen  c\|jecled.  The 
time  was  now  fixed  for  tlie  twentieth  of  September; 
ho  was  th(;  better  [)i(Nised  at  this  delay,  as  it 
tnsuredhimtlie  opportunity  of  be.ng  present  at  the 
46 


362 


RESIDENCE     AT    THE 


[1818. 


> 


^X 


commencement  of  our  negotiation.  I  expressed 
my  satisfaction  at  the  information,  and  in  turn  in- 
formed him,  that  the  full  powers  and  instructions 
to  Mr.  Gallatin  and  myself  had  arrived,  and  that 
I  expected  Mr  Gallatin  from  Paris  in  a  day  or  two. 

He  next  surprised  me,  and  agreeably,  by  reviv- 
ing the  subject  of  impressment ;  for  I  feared  that  it 
had  been  entirely  expunged  from  our  conferences. 
He  premised,  that  what  he  was  going  to  say,  was, 
for   the    present,    without   the  knowledge   of  his 
colleagues  in  the  administration ;   he  had  reflcctrd 
upon  my  late  proposals,  which  had,  it  was  true, 
been  rejected,  as  they  now  stood ;  but  feeling  the 
great   importance  of  this  subject,  and  wilIin<T  to 
avoid  if  possible  shutting  it  out  from  the  general 
negotiation,  it  hnd   occurred  to  him  to  offer  some 
suggestions  to  me  in  relation  to   it.     He  thought 
that   my  proposals    might,    perhaps,    be   reiidcml 
acceptable   by    some    modifications  important  to 
Great  Hritain,  without  allecting,  as  he  hoped,  ik 
primary  object  of  the  United  States.     The  niroiti- 
cations  were  these. 

1.  That  any  treaty  or  convention  founded  onmv 
proposals  should  he  limited  to  eight,  ten,  or  twelve 
years,  with  liberty  to  eaci  party  to  be  absolved 
from  its  a  'ju.ttions  on  a  n.xice  of  three  or  m 


[1818. 

expressed 
in  turn  in- 
istructions 
d,  and  that 
[lay  or  two. 
f,  by  rcviv- 
iarcd  that  it 
conferences, 
to  say,  wa?, 
edge  of  hi? 
liad  rcflcctrd 

it  was  true. 
jt  feelina:  tiie 
nd  wihin<i  to 
II  the  general 

o  offer  pome 

\l(^  tluniiiht 

\,c   rendered 

important  to 

\\w  hoped,  tlic 
The  nv<''^*i- 

Ifonnded  on  my 
ten,  or  twelve 
ItobeabsoKea 
)f  three  or  »i^ 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


363 


months ;  as  in  tlie  existing  arrangement  between  the 
two  countries  for  the  reciprocal  dismantlement  of 
their  flotillas  on  the  lakes. 

2.  That  the  British  boarding  officer,  entering 
American  ships  at  sea,  for  a  purpose  agreed  by  both 
nations  to  be  justifiable  under  the  laws  of  nations, 
should  be  entitled  to  call  for  a  hst  of  the  crew ; 
and  if  he  saw  a  seaman  known  to  him,  or  on  good 
grounds  suspected,  to  be  a  British  seaman,  should 
have  the  further  privilege  of  making  a  record,  or 
proces  vcrlntl,  of  the  fact,  in  such  manner  as  to 
lirmg  the  case  under  the  notice  of  the  govennnent 
of  the  United  States,  but  not  to  take  the  man  out 
ot  the  ship. 

The  hitter  rcguhition,  his  lordship  observed, 
would  operate  as  ;i  I'urther  incentive  to  the  faithful 
execution  of  our  home  j)rohibitions  for  excluding 
Britisli  ^uhjects  from  our  vessels;  tlie  former,  guard 
against  any  irrevoci«l)le  relinquishment  by  (Jreat 
Britain  of  what  hhe  Ixlieved  to  be  her  riglil  of  im- 
pressment— a  r«  liiupiishment  which  the  feelings  of 
the  country  nuglit  not  on  trial  be  found  to  hear. 

To  the  first  modification  I  saw  no  insurmount- 
able objection.  The  second  1  viewed  very  dilfer- 
ently;  but  as,  in  the  progress  of  the  negotiation,  a 
hope  mi^ht   reasonnbly  he  entertnined  of  getting 


364 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


*  ■ 


I'  I ! 


«K>^. 


•       ■•.       I 


rid  of  the  second,  if  the  first  were  adopted,  I  said 
to  his  lordship,  that  although  I  would  express  no 
opinion  on  the  proposed  modifications,  apart  from 
my  colleague,  whose  arrival  was  so  soon  expected, 
I  saw  enough  in  the  suggestion  of  them  to  l)ring 
the  subject  again  within  the  pale  of  our  discus- 
sions. 

His  lordship  passed  to  a  new  subject,  his  man- 
ner showing  the  interest  he  felt  in  it.  It  was  the 
execution,  by  order  of  General  Jackson,  of  two 
British  su!)jerts,  Arbuthnot  and  Ambrister.  Tliis 
iransaction  grew  out  of  the  war  against  the  Semi- 
nole Indians.  Ambrister  wfis  taken  in  the  field, 
fighting  on  llieir  side,  against  the  forces  of  the 
United  States;  Arbuthnot  was  made  prisoner  iiitlie 
Spanish  fort  of  St.  Marks,  and  charged  with  in- 
stigating the  LKhans  to  war  against  our  troops 
and  people.  His  lordship  inquired  if  I  had  nnv 
intelligence  from  my  government  respecting  these 
executions,  saying  tlnit  his  majesty's  govcTnment 
had  none,  as  yet,  from  Mr.  Jtagot.  I  rephed,  that 
neither  liad  1  anv  from  my  m)veriunent.  He  sniil 
tlint  h(^  could  liJive  no  complaint  to  nuike  id  j)re- 
sent,  he  case  not  bcinir  ofiieiallv  before  tluj  IJritish 
government;  bui  assuming  the  rumours  in  the 
newspapers  to  have  any  foundation,  tlu^  executicii 


h  i 


[1818. 

ed,  I  said 
<prcss  no 
part  from 
expected, 
n  to  bring 
ur  discns- 

,  hiri  man- 
It  >vas  the 
son,  of  two 
ster.  Tliis 
A  the  Semi- 
in  the  field, 

CCS    of  till' 

oner  in  the 
hI  Nvith  in- 
our  trooi)^ 
1   had  any 
ectini,'  th(>>e 
(rovcnnneut 

r{>plie»l,  tliiit 
It.     1  le.  sii'ul 
nuke  at  jm" 
■(.  tlu;  linti^^^ 
luurs  in  tl»<^ 
he  executien 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


365 


of  these  men  under  the  mere  authority  of  the  com- 
manding general,  without   any  reference   to   the 
government  of  the  United  States,  seemed  an  ex- 
treme measure.     lie  asketl  if  I  could  account  for 
it.     I  replied,  that  I  could  only  account  for  it  by 
supposing  the  offences  to  have  been  extreme;  this, 
combined  with  the  distance  of  the  commanding 
general  from  Washington,  had  probably  presented 
the  whole  case  to  his  mind  as  one  to  be  acted  upon 
at  his  own  discretion,  and  under  his  own  responsi- 
bility ;  the  Indians,  when   waging  war,  destroyed 
their  prisoners,  sparing  neither  age  nor  sex,  which 
necessarily  exposed  those  who  took  side  with  them, 
to  their  own  rules  of  \\arfare,  if  ca[)ture(l;  a  mo- 
mentary hunmnity  might  indeed  regret  this  kind 
of  retaliation  ;  but  perha})s  the  permanent  interests 
of  humanity  would  be  promoted,  as  its  tendency 
would    be  to   detm*   otiiers    ("roin    instiii;atin<»-   the 
hulians  to  attack  our  p(M)ple.     It  was  so  that  1 
spoke.     His  lordship  \\\\n\v  no  other  re|)ly  than  to 
express  a  ho[)e   that  (n«My   thing    would   be   well 
exphiined,  thii  occurrencii  being  of  a  nature  to  ex- 
cite unusual  sensibility  in   iMiiiland.     I  rmiarkcMl 
ihat  I  saw  with  concern  the  inllammatory  com- 
ments of  the  publie  journals,  before  the  occurrence 
<onld  br  lightly  iuuhM'stood  in  l^nglan<l ;  not  that 


^Jk^ 


366 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


,     I 


•*i. 


I  ! 


J 

t 


the  press  in  either  tountry  should  ever  be  left  to 
any  other  influence  or  control,  than  its  own  will; 
but  from  the  fear  that  it  might  forerun,  in  this  in- 
stance, the  real  nature  of  the  case,  and  raise  up 
difficulties  not  intrinsic  to  it.  He  replied  by  dis- 
avowing all  connexion  on  this  as  on  other  occasions, 
between  the  government  and  such  of  the  public 
prints  as  were  said  to  propagate  its  opinions ;  re- 
marking, that  the  government  formed  its  own  views 
of  subjects  without  following  those  of  the  news- 
papers, or  dictating  them.  He  said  at  parting,  that 
it  was  his  intention  to  go  out  of  town  to-morrow, 
to  be  back  on  the  twenty-fifth. 

August  16.     Mr.  Gallatin  arrives  in  London. 

August  17.  Address  a  note  to  Lord  Castle- 
reagh,  informing  him  of  Mr.  Gallatin's  arrival, 
and  that  we  were  ready  to  open  the  negotiation. 

August  19.  Receive  an  answer.  His  lordshij) 
being  still  out  of  town,  says  that  he  will  be  happy 
to  sec  us  at  dinner  at  his  country  residence,  on  the 
twenty-second.  We  are  invited  to  come  early,  to 
give  time  for  a  conference  before  dinner,  and  re- 
main all  night. 


[1818. 

36  left  to 
)\vn  will; 
n  this  in- 

raise  up 
3d  by  dis- 
Dccasions, 
the  public 
uions;  re- 
own  views 

the  news- 
artiug,  that 
to-morrow, 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


367 


London. 


in's 


August  20.  Employed  to  day  and  yesterday  in 
going  with  Mr.  Gallatin  to  leave  our  cards  at  the 
houses  of  the  members  of  the  cabinet  and  diplo- 
matic corps.  As  the  minister  plenipotentiary  last 
arriving,  he  makes  the  first  call,  though  only  in  tran- 
sitory relations  with  this  court. 

Auffust  23.  We  arrived  at  Lord  Castlereaorh's 
country  seat.  North  Cray,  Kent,  sixteen  miles  from 
town,  yesterday  at  three  o'clock. 

We  found  there,  Mr.  Robinson  and  Mr.  Goul- 
burn,  the  two  British   plenipotentiaries.     After  a 
courteous  welcome,  we  all  withdrew  to  his  lord- 
ship's  cabinet,  where  an   informal  beginning  was 
made  in  the  negotiation.     His  lordship  said,  tliat 
this  first  meetiuir  was  one  in  which  he  took  much 
interest,  though  its  principal  design  was  to  bring 
the  parties  together,  and  fix  the   subjects   rather 
than  discuss  them.     The  negotiation  was  impor- 
tant to  hoth  countries ;  he  sincerely  felt  it  so  to 
Great  Britain  ;  his  majesty's  government  earnestly 
desired,  that  every  ([uestion  which  had  led  to  past 
misunderstandings,  might  be  amicjibly  adjusted   at 
this  season  of  peace,  so  as  to  lay  a  foundation  of 
stable  harmony  for  the  future ;   he  trusted  that  the 
aim  of  each  country  would  be  to  advance,  as  far 


368 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


T^*: 


r 

H 


I'J 


'•^  '., 


as  compatible  vith  its  own  rights  and  interests,  th(3 
just  riglits  and  interests  of  the  other.  In  short,  let 
us  strive,  said  he,  so  to  regulate  our  intercourse 
in  all  respects,  as  that  "each  nation  may  l)e  ahlc 
to  do  its  utmost  towards  makinij  the  other  rich 
and  happy."  The.^:  were  among  his  introductory 
remarks;  after  hearing  which,  .Mr.  Gallatin  and  I 
did  not  fail  to  reciprocate  in  all  things  their  good 
spirit.  Ilis  lordship  then  ])roceed(Ml  to  ^pccily 
the  points  which  the  negotiation  was  to  compre- 
hend. 

Next,  he  spoke  of  im})ressment.  The  modifica- 
tions suggested  to  the  proposals  I  had  suhniittcd 
for  excluding  British  seamen  from  our  service,  lie 
would,  he  said,  repeat,  for  the  inlormation  of  Mr. 
Gallatin.  We  expressed  at  once  our  decided  ol)- 
jection  to  the  second ;  but  agreed,  that  the  general 
subject  should  come  hito  the  negotiation.  With 
impressment,  it  was  also  agreed,  that  we  should  let 
in  other  subjects  of  a  maritime  nature;  such  as, 
the  doctrine  of  blockade ;  the  riglit  of  a  neutral  lo 
trade  with  the  colonies  of  an  enemy  in  tunc  of  war; 
the  right  of  search,  and  list  of  contraband.  Gene- 
ral conversation  was  had  under  each  head.  The 
conference  closed  w^ith  an  understanding  that  the 
plenipotentiaries  should  re-assemble  on  the  twenty- 


[1818. 

sliort,  let 
tcrcourse 
y  ])C  iiblc 
3tUer  rich 
roductory 
at  in  iind  1 
tboir  ^<)<h1 
to    ^peeily 
to  coniprc- 

ic  modiftca- 
l  pubniitteJ 

service,  ho 
ion  of  Mr. 
decided  ul)- 

thc  gencviil 
tion.     With 

c  should  let 
re;  Budi  u^. 

a  neutral  u* 
llhncof  war; 

land.    ^'^'»*" 
head.    'Htc 
|liug  that  the 
the  twenty- 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


369 


seventh ;  at  wliieh  time  it  was  agreed  that  tlie  ne- 
gotiation sliould  open  in  form 

Business  being  over,  wc  took  a  turn  through  the 
grounds.     The    day   was    fine.     We   walked    on 
lawns  from    whieh    slKjep  were    separated    by  in- 
visible   fences,    and    along    shady    paths    by    the 
Crjiy  side.     The   Cray  is  a  narrow   river  whose 
clear   waters    here    flow    through    grassy    banks. 
Not   far  oif,  was  a  hedge  of  sweet-briar ;    alory 
which    it  seemed  to  be  the   peculiar   object    imd 
pleasure  of  Lo   '  Castlereagh  to  take  us.     Such, 
and  other  rurai  appearances,  might  have  been  ex- 
pected at  such  Ji  spot ;  but  they  were  not  all   that 
we  saw;  there  was  something  that  I  had  not  ex- 
pected ;  it  was  a  whutocrir.     Taste,  in  England, 
appears  to  take;  every  form.     In   this   receptacle, 
were   lions,  ostriches,  kangaroos,  and  I  know  not 
what  variety  of  stranger  animals.     Those  who  col- 
lort  rare  books  and  pi(tur(\«i,  are  too  numerous  to 
1)0  computed  ;  so,  those  who  gather  relics  and  cu- 
riosities from  dilferent  j)arts  of  the  world.     Some 
persons  are  concologists ;  they  have  the  shells  of 
all  coasts  arranged  under  scientific  classification, 
like  plants  in  botany.     Some  collect  pipes^  (although 
not  smoking  them,)  from  the  beaded  patterns  of  the 
Mohawks,  to  those  of  Persia   and  Constantinople 
47 


& 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


1.1 


1.25 


If  1^  m 


2.0 


iiiim 


1-4    III  1.6 


V 


<^ 


/; 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


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€ 


^ 


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o^ 


23  WIST  MAIN  STRUT 

WiBSTIR,  N.Y.  MSIO 

(716)  S73-4503 


«-• 


4^ 

Mpn 

mm 


370 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


I" 

■  i 

M 


V 


r^^ 


•>« 


r  . 


ti- 

f 


i 


Ul 


i  I. 


I  I  ! 


"*****<. *fc 


[1818. 


studded  with  jewels  and  gold ;  on  the  gratification 
of  this  taste,  I  am  told  of  an  individual  who  had 
actually  laid  out  seven  thousand  pounds  sterling. 
And  here,  amidst  lawns  and  gardens,  amidst  all 
that  denoted  cultivation  and  art,  I  beheld  wild 
beasts  and  outlandish  birds — the  tenants  of  un- 
civilized forests  and  skies — set  down  as  if  for 
contrast ! 

Getting  back  from  our  walk,  we  were  shown 
into  our  rooms  to  dress  for  dinner.  At  dinner,  we 
were  joined  by  Lady  Castlereagh  and  the  Countess 
of  Sandwich.  Lord  Clanwilliam  and  the  two  Mr. 
Stewarts,  nephews  of  Lord  Castlereagh,  were  also 
of  the  guests,  with  Mr.  Robinson  and  Mr.  Goul- 
burn.  Every  thing  was  talked  of  but  the  negotia- 
tion, the  four-footed  and  feathered  occupants  of 
the  menagerie  not  being  forgotten ;  any  more  than 
a  troop  of  gypsies  encamped  in  a  field  hard  by. 
We  rose  from  the  table  at  an  early  hour.  The 
remainder  of  the  evening  passed  in  conversation, 
and  conversation  games,  to  which  the  ladies  im- 
parted the  chief  charm.  In  the  course  of  the 
evening,  I  transiently  picked  up  from  one  of  the 
tables  a  printed  volume  of  the  British  state  papers 
of  a  few  years  back ;  on  opening  which  I  obser- 
ved the  leaves  turned  down  at  the  part  containing 


[1818. 

Ltification 
who  had 
5  sterhng. 
amidst  all 
iheld  wild 
Lilts  of  un- 
L  as  if  for 

^rere  shown 

t  dinner,  we 

he  Countess 

the  two  Mr. 

b,  were  also 

^d  Mr.  Goul- 
the  negotia- 
occupants  of 

iny  more  than 

field  hard  by. 

ly  hour.    The 
conversation, 
the  ladies  im- 
•ourse  of  the 
»m  one  of  the 
ih  state  papers 
[which  1  o^ser- 
,art  containing 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


371 


the  correspondence  of  Mr.  Monroe  and  Mr.  Pinkney, 
on  the  subject  of  the  treaty  negotiated  by  them  in 
1806,  but  rejected  on  our  side,  chiefly  because  it 
contained  no  provision  on  impressment ;  at  which 
passage  I  naturally  imagined  his  lordship  had  been 
looking,  before  our  arrival  in  the  morning.  My 
colleague  and  I  felt  at  home.  Invited  for  the  pur- 
pose of  fulfilling  public  duties,  to  the  house  of  an 
English  minister  of  state  intrenched  in  confidence 
and  power,  we  found  ourselves  of  his  domestic 
circle,  the  partakers  of  a  hospitality  as  easy  as 
delightful.  At  twelve  we  separated  for  our  bed 
rooms. 

We  were  under  the  necessity  of  leaving  this 
agreeable  mansion  after  breakfast  this  morning. 
It  was  Sunday.  Lord  and  Lady  Castlercagh  walked 
to  the  village  church  in  the  neighbourhood,  follow- 
by  their  servants,  by  whom  they  are  said  to  be 
beloved  for  their  kind  treatment  of  them.     Those 
who  oppose  his  lordship  in  politics,  acccrd  to  him 
every  merit  in  the  relations  of  private  life.     To  his 
uniform  and  eminent  blandness  in  all  official  and 
personal  intercourse  with  them,  the  whole  diplo- 
matic corps  bear  testimony.    These  are  qualities 
that  stand  in  attractive  relief  to  those  which  he 
displays  in  the  House  of  Commons;  where,  as  on 


lit. 


I  it 


r-.^ 

V 


ri^-  '  h 


t 


r^i 


;f 


I   " 


372  RESIDENCE    AT    THE  [1818. 

.1  daily  theatre   of  combat,  frequently   after   his 
morninns  have  been  absorbed  in  laborious  inter- 
views  with  the  representatives  of  foreign  nations, 
you  see  in  him  always  the  courage,  the  sagacity, 
the  self-possession,  that  mark  the  disciplined  and 
powerful   ministerial  leader,  sustained  by  talents 
for  debate  adequate  to  every  emergency ;  not  rhe- 
torical,  but   prompt,   vigorous,   ])usiness-like  and 
effective.     Second  in  influence  in  the  cabinet  only 
to  Lord  Liverpool,  he  almost  wielded,  in  her  foreign 
affairs,  the  destinies   of  Britain,   and,  in  a  great 
degree,  those  of  all  Europe,  at  critical  and  moment- 
ous periods ;  a  power  in  him  to  which  his  right 
estimate  of  the  abilities  of  the  Duke  of  Wellington, 
with   whom   he   was   closely   united   in  personal 
friendship  as  official  counsels,  may  be  said  to  have 
lent  its  aid.     Rival  of  Canning  let  me  add,  and  for 
a  time  the  successful  rival,  though  in  character  so 
different,  they  had  once  met  in  the  field ;  yet,  mag- 
nanimous in  enmity,    they   afterwards,   at  each 
other's  tables  and  elsewhere,  lived  in  the  recipr;»ca- 
tion  of  every  gentlemanly  courtesy  and  good  will. 
Of  Lord  Castlereagh  it  may  be  said,  that  few  men 
have  ever  united  in  a  higher  degree  opposite  means 
of  carrying  their  ends;  when  conciliation  seems 
best  adapted  to  them,  there  is  seen  in  him  a  suavity 


i 


'  [ 


[1818. 

after  Uis 
ions  inter- 
n  nations, 
e  sagacity, 
iplined  and 
by  talents 
;y ;  not  rlie- 
Bss-like  and 
cabinet  only 
nUer  foreign 
,,  in  a  great 
and  moment- 
iich  his  right 
.f  Wellington, 
\  in  personal 
D  said  to  have 
e  add,  and  for 
n  character  so 
icld;  yet,  mag- 
lards,   at  each 
thcrccipr:^ca- 

and  good  will. 

i,  that  few  men 

loppositc  means 

mediation  seems 

in  him  a  suavity 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


373 


applied  in  ways  than  which  none  could  be  better 
chosen,  or  more  successful ;  when  energy  is  called 
for,  the  political  and  personal  occasions  of  his  life 
show  with  how  calm  and  inflexible  a  dauntlessness 
he  goes  forward.  I  have  reason  to  know  that, 
when  secretary  of  wai\  his  voice  was  operative  for 
sendini]^  to  the  Peninsula  the  largest  British  armies 
that  could  be  raised  for  fitjlitinj?  France  on  that 
theatre;  and  this  when  other  British  statesmen 
then  in  power  inclined  to  entertain  doubts  of  that 
policy,  and  even  the  duke  of  Wellington  himself, 
at  that  period  first  appointed  to  command,  was 
nearly  hopeless  of  its  success.  There  was  a  special 
interest  in  walking  with  such  a  man  by  his  hedge 
of  sweet  briar,  and  hearing  that  to  nurture  and  em- 
bellish it,  was  a  favourite  recreation  of  his  public 
toil. 

The  country  between  London  and  North  Cray, 
was  undulating.  Crossing  the  Thames  at  West- 
minster Bridge,  we  left  Shooters  Hill  to  the  north. 
The  whole  way  presented  one  universal  face  of 
cultivation.  The  hop  is  extensively  grown  in  the 
county  of  Kent.  It  is  relied  upon  as  a  principal 
crop  by  the  Kentish  yeomen^  who  are  said  to  illus- 
trate finely  the  comforts  and  character  of  the 
middle  class  of  rural  population   in   England.     I 


f^y 


I: 


374 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


I  ^1 


■  r 


v. 


>  " 


!■    I    • 


*ii- 
-''*««.,.., 


was  told  that  but  for  the  heavy  duty  on  the  im- 
portation of  foreign  liops,  amounting  to  prohibition 
except  when  the  liome  crop  fails,  not  a  hop  vine 
would  be  planted  in  Kent,  or  any  part  of  England. 
Tne  hops  from  several  other  countries,  the  United 
States  among  them,  would  be  preferred,  as  of  su- 
perior strength,    and  much  cheaper.      With  the 
corn  laws  of  England,  the  commercial  world  is 
familiar.     The  same  policy  is  extended  not  to  hops 
only,  so  connected  with  the  vast  home  consumption 
of  malt  liquor,  and  other  large  items  of  agriculture, 
but   to    the    minutest   products;    comprehending 
eggs,  apples,  cherries,  chesnuts !    Careful  watch 
is  thus  kept,  it  seems,  upon  the  orchards  and  barn 
yards  of  France ! 

The  old  custom  of  gavel-kind  still  prevails  in 
Kent.  This  made  me  look  with  an  eye  of  chief 
curiosity  upon  the  country.  By  this  custom,  on 
the  death  of  a  parent,  his  land  is  divided  equally 
among  all  his  sons,  instead  of  going  to  the  eldest, 
as  in  other  parts  of  England.  The  latter  mode  of 
descent  the  English  defend,  as  necessary  to  their 
aristocracy  and  power.  Necessary  to  their  form 
of  government  it  doubtless  is;  as  nothing  else  could 
give  stability  to  their  aristocracy,  without  which 
the  throne  would  not  long  be  stable.     But  they 


[1818. 

on  the  im- 
pvohibition 
a  hop  vine 
[)f  England. 

the  United 

d,  as  of  su- 

With  the 

ial  world  is 

I  not  to  hops 

consumption 
)f  agriculture, 
ompi^^iending 
>reful  watch 
lards  and  ham 

till  prevails  m 
n  eye  of  cliiel' 
[us  custom,  on 
divided  equally 
L  to  the  eldest, 

latter  mode  ol 

-ssary  to  their 
to  their  form 

[thing  else  could 
without  which 

tblo.    But  they 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


375 


say  that  it  is  necessary  to  their  agriculture,  the 
root  of  all  their  riches.     They  say,  that  without 
the  capital  which  it  places  in  the  hands  of  great 
landlords,  farming  could   not    be    carried  on    to 
full  advantage ;   the  soil  could  not  be  improved  to 
its  utmost  capability,  small  farmers  not  being  able 
to  command  the  means,  or  willing  to  incur  the 
risk,  of  experimental  agriculture  on  a  scale  suffici- 
ently extended   to    ascertain   permanent    results, 
especially  in  connexion  with  expensive  and  con- 
stantly   improving   machinery.     They    also    say, 
that,  in  the   national    aggregate,    agriculture    is 
cheaper  wheii  farms  are  large,  than  when  too  much 
subdivided ;  the  same  enclosures  last  through  ages, 
and  stock,  implements,  and  labour  of  all  kinds,  are 
more  economically   applied   when  kept   together 
and  applied   under   one   system,  than  when  fre- 
quently broken  into  small   parts.     It  is  so,  and 
more  at  length,  that  they  reason.     I  could  not  see 
the  proof  of  it,  in  the  portion  of  this  county  that 
fell  under  my  observation.     The  farms,  to  a  rapid 
glance,  showed  thrift,  neatness,  and  fertility ;  nor 
did  I  learn  from  those  better  informed,  that  there 
was  any  inferiority  in  the  modes  of  farming,  or  in 
general   productivness,  as   compared  with    other 
counties  in  the  kingdom.   The  gross  product  of  agri- 


n. 

it*'' 


376 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


'ti 


;  t 


:i 


hi' 


■■''  .  ' 


!   " 


(I:    :!t' 


culture  in  all  England,  is,  indeed,  wonderfully  great, 
when  it  is  considered  what  extensive  tracts  of  her 
territory  are  still  in  barren  downs  and  heath;  how 
much  of  the  fertile  part  is  in  pleasure  grounds ;  and 
how  great  a  proportion  of  her  population,  and  of  the 
domestic  animals,  consume  without  working.     The 
horses  in  England,  kept  for  luxury,  are  reckoned 
as  fifteen  to  one  to  those  in  France.     The  very 
plieasants  are  consumers;  grain   being   raised  for 
feeding  them  as  they  fly  about  the  domains  of  the 
opulent.     It  needs  scarcely  be  added,  for  the  fact 
is  familiar  in  the   statistics  of  the  two   nations, 
that  the  entire  amount  and  value  of  the  agricultu- 
ral produce  of  England,  are  greater  than  of  France, 
notwithstanding  the  far  greater  extent  of  soil  in 
France. 

Gavel-kind  creates  subdivided  inheritances  only 
where  the  owner  of  an  estate  dies  intestate.  He 
may,  by  will,  prefer  the  eldest  son ;  and  the  gene- 
ral feehng  in  England  upon  this  subject,  which  is 
so  strong  in  favour  of  keeping  estates  together, 
that  even  younger  sons  largely  acquiesce  in  it, 
exerts  an  influence  in  Kent.  Some  lands  are  spe- 
cially exempt  by  law,  from  the  custom,  though 
most  of  them  are  still  subject  to  it.  It  is  said. 
that  Surrenden-house,  in  this  county,  the  present 


[1818. 

fuUy  great, 
•acts  of  her 
leath;  how 
•ounds ;  and 
n,  and  of  the 
'king.    The 
re  reckoned 
..    The  very 
ig   raised  for 
mains  of  the 
,  for  the  fact 
two   nations, 
the  agricultu- 
Iran  of  France, 
tent  of  soil  in 


1818.] 


COURT    OF   LONDON. 


377 


residence  of  Sir  Edward  Bering,  was  rebuilt,  upon 
its  old  foundations,  in  the  time  of  Edward  III.,  the 
lineage  of  the  proprietor  being  traceable  by  family 
records  to  a  period  as  early  as  the  Norman  con- 
quest. I  estimate  fully  the  political  objections  to 
primogeniture,  and  deal  not  with  it  in  this  light ;  but 
the  imagination  feels  the  force  of  a  mere  rule  of 
law  that  can  link  time  present  to  time  remote ; 
that  can  preserve  unbroken  throughout  centuries, 
outward  memorials  around  which  it  is  in  man's  na- 
ture that  his  moral  associations  should  linger.  In 
gazing  upon  these  ancient,  massive  structures,  with 
their  turretted  roofs,  their  vaulted  ceilings,  their 
spacious  halls,  we  are  apt  to  forget  the  tyranny 
under  which  they  were  first  reared,  and  the  rude 
customs  and  superstitions  of  their  age.  These  are 
gone,  whilst  the  romance  of  their  history  remains, 
stealing  into  the  feelings  when  they  are  approach- 
ed as  seats  of  modern  hospitality;  for  so  it  is, 
that  here,  as  on  many  occasions,  the  feelings 
will  be  touched  by  what  the  sense  of  right  con- 
demns. 

The  interest  of  the  whole  excursion  was  increas- 
ed to  me  by  the  companionship  of  Mr.  Gallatin. 
His  station  as  minister  plenipotentiary  at  Paris, 
has  added  to  all  his  other  information,  much  in- 
48 


\  ,-' 


«••*!;.• 


t: 


378 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


.'    I 


%■   _      ■-  ■ 
If-         -.     '' 


^  1 


N 


14 
■  if 


^ 


sight  into  the  courts  and  cabinets  of  Europe.  A 
keen  observer  of  men,  and  possessing  a  knowledge 
of  books,  which  bis  knowledge  of  the  world  has 
taujTht  him  how  to  read,  his  stores  of  conversation 
are  abundant  and  ever  at  command.  He  did  me 
the  favour  to  take  a  seat  in  my  carriage,  and  in 
his  flow  of  anecdote  and  reflections,  I  had  an  in- 
tellectual repast. 

August  27.  The  plenipotentiaries  assembled  at 
the  office  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  Whitehall.  The 
full  powers  on  each  side  were  exhibited,  and  in- 
spected by  the  other.  A  copy  of  ours  was  handed 
to  the  British  plenipoteniaries,  and  a  copy  of  theirs 
promised  at  the  next  meeting. 

We  presented  a  paper  containing  a  recapitula- 
tion of  the  subjects  which,  by  our  understanding, 
were  to  be  treated  of.  They  were  as  follow :  1. 
The  slave  question  under  the  treaty  of  Ghent.  2. 
The  fisheries.  3.  North-western  boundary  line. 
4.  Columbia  river  question,  5.  Renewal  of  the 
commercial  convention  of  1815.  6.  Intercourse 
between  the  United  States  and  British  West  India 
Islands.  7.  Intercourse  by  sea  between  the  United 
States  and  British  North  American  colonies.  8. 
Inland  intercourse  between  same  and  same.    9. 


I  I 


[1818. 

Europe.  A 
a  knowledge 
e  world  has 
conversation 
He  did  me 
riage,  and  in 
^  1  had  an  in- 


s  assembled  at 
^itehall.  The 
libited,  and  in- 
curs was  handed 
la  copy  of  theirs 

ig  a  recapitula- 
.  understanding, 
3  as  follow  :    !• 
•y  of  Ghent.   2. 
boundary  line. 
[Renewal  of  the 
6.  Intercourse 
litish  West  India 
:ween  the  United 
an  colonies.   8. 
and  same.    9. 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


379 


Impressment.  10.  Blockades.  11.  Colonial  trade 
in  time  of  war.  12.  List  of  contraband.  13. 
Miscellaneous,  minor,  questions. 

The  British  plenipotentiaries  agreed  to  this  re- 
capitulation.     Referring  to  the  fifth   head,   they 
asked  whether  we  intended  to  discuss  the  provi- 
sions of  the  existing  convention ;   that  instrument 
might  not,  they  remarked,  contain  for  either  party 
all  that  was  wished ;  but  if  opened,  each  would 
have  alterations  to  propose,  which  would  throw 
the  whole  at  large.     Under  this  reasoning,  it  was 
determined  not  to  open  it  for  discussion.     We  ex- 
pressed a  desire  not  to  proceed  immediately  to  the 
formal  act  of  renewal,  but  wait  a  reasonable  time 
to  ascertain  the  progress  made  on  other  points. 
The  desire  was  acceded  to.     The  British  plenipo- 
tentiaries stated  that  they  did  not  view  this  con- 
vention as  connected  with  any  of  the  other  points, 
alleging  that  they  had  been  ready,  but  for  our 
asking  a  pause,  to  proceed  at  once  to  the  act  of 
renewal.     Both  parties  united  in  the  propriety  of 
its  being  renewed  in  time  to  let  the  merchants  of 
the  two  countries  be  seasonably  informed  of  the 
ground  on  which  they  were  to  stand.     After  some 
conversation  on  other  points,  the  meeting  adjourn- 
ed to  the  twenty-ninth.     It  was  agreed  that  the 


m 


■,' .  * 


I  ■■. 


1 


380 


■:'! 


'J"^.: 


'.1«l 


'i ' 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 

negotiation  should  be  carried  on  by  conferences 
and  protocols,  the  privilege  being  open  to  either 
party  of  recording  their  sentiments  on  the  proto- 
cols. 

Whitehall  is  one  of  the  ancient  palaces  of  Lon- 
don ;  of  which,  though  many  alterations  have  been 
made,  there  are  portions  of  architecture  in  the  in- 
terior that  show  the  traces.  The  room  in  which 
we  assembled,  had  once  been  the  bed  chamber  of 
the  Duke  of  Monmouth;  it  was  also  mentioned, 
that  Gibbon,  when  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Trade,  had  often  written  at  the  table  before  us» 


•ii, . ,  f 


I.J  ; 


August  29.  The  plenipotentiaries  met.  The 
protocol  of  the  last  conference,  as  drawn  up  by 
the  British  plenipotentiaries,  was  read  and  adopt- 
ed. We  had  also  prepared  one,  but  the  former 
was  preferred,  as  shortest.  They  grve  us  a  copy 
of  their  full  powers. 

Regular  discussions  now  commenced.  The 
question  about  the  slaves  first  presented  itself. 
During  the  war  of  1812,  great  numbers  of  this 
description  of  population  belonging  to  the  landed 
proprietors  of  the  southern  states,  had  found  their 
way  to  British  ships  in  the  Chesapeake,  or  other 
waters  of  the  Union.     A  large  portion  had  gone 


"  f 


[1818. 

conferences 
n  to  either 
I  the  proto- 

ces  of  Lou- 
is have  been 
ire  in  the  in- 
om  in  which 
I  chamber  of 
o  mentioned, 
the  Board  of 
before  us. 

bs  met.     The 

drawn  up  by 

;ad  and  adopt- 

[ut  the  former 

fcve  us  a  copy 

lenced.     The 
Resented  itself- 
timbers   of  this 
to  the  landed 

lad  found  their 
ieake,  or  other 

rtion  had  gone 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


381 


on  board  of  them,  under  proclamations  from  tlic 
British  naval  commanders;  some  without  these 
incentives.  Others  had  been  captured  during  the 
progress  of  the  war.  Their  loss  was  heavily  felt 
by  the  owners.  By  the  first  article  of  the  treaty 
of  Ghent,  it  was  provided,  that "  all  territory^  places^ 
and  possessmis,  taken  by  either  jmrty  from  the  other 
during  the  war,  or  lohich  may  he  taken  after  the  sign- 
ing of  this  treaty,  shall  be  restored  without  delay,  and 
without  causing  atiy  destruction,  or  carrying  away 
any  of  the  artillery,  or  other  public  property,  originally 
captured  in  the  said  forts  or  places,  and  which  shall 
remain  therein  upon  the  exchange  of  the  ratifications 
of  this  treaty,  or  any  slaves  or  other  private  pro- 


perty. 


?5 


Slaves  came  under  the  denomination  of  private 
property,  by  the  highest  sanction  of  our  laws.  The 
United  States  held  it  to  be  the  true  meaning  of  the 
foregoing  clause,  that  the  British  were  to  carry  off 
no  slaves  within  our  limits,  and  in  their  possession, 
at  the  time  of  the  ratifications  of  the  treaties,  whe- 
ther such  slaves  were  on  board  their  ships,  or  in  forts, 
or  other  places  on  shore,  held  by  their  troops. 

Great  Britain  contended  for  a  more  restricted 
construction.  She  said,  that  those  slaves  only  were 
not  to  be  carried  off",  who,  at  the  time  of  the  exchange 


1. ; 


'I 
I 


382 


RESIDENCE    AT    THB 


[1818. 


I-   , 
i  f 
f 
I.    .' 

M  . 


i'  I ! 


of  the  ratif  cations^  were  in  the  forts  and  places  where 
they  had  been  originally  taken.  This  was  the  ques- 
tion at  issue  between  the  two  nations. 

By  far  the  greater  number  of  the  slaves  of  whom 
the  proprietors  had,  by  one  means  or  other  been 
despoiled,  were  attached  to  places  that  the  British 
had  never  reduced  or  taken,  during  the  war.  Very 
few  had  been  in  forts  or  places  so  taken,  or  at  all 
events  remained  in  them,  up  to  the  time  of  the 
ratifications  of  the  treaty ;  in  effect,  therefore,  the 
British  construction  of  the  clause  would  have 
rendered  it  nearly  inoperative  as  to  any  benefit  to 
the  owners  of  the  slaves. 

We  unfolded  the  views  of  our  government  on 
this  subject.  The  British  plenipotentiaries  replied 
and  stated  theirs.  They  asked  whether  our  claim 
embraced  such  of  the  slaves  as  had  been  captured 
at  any  periods  during  the  war,  carried  out  of  our 
limits,  and  then  brought  back  again  into  some  bay 
or  harbour,  other  than  where  they  had  been  origin- 
ally captured.  We  answered  in  the  afhrmative; 
assigning,  as  one  reason,  that  we  did  not  consider 
even  the  original  capturing  of  the  slaves,  under 
whatever  circumstances,  justified  by  the  ordinary 
usage  of  war.  The  British  plenipotentiaries  did 
not  accede  to  this  doctrine. 


h  I 


[1818. 

jlaces  where 
IS  the  ques- 

^es  of  whom 
r  other  been 
t  the  British 
ewar.  Very 
ken,  or  at  all 
)  time  of  the 
therefore,  the 
would  have 
any  benefit  to 

government  on 
itiaries  replied 
ther  our  claim 
been  captured 
ied  out  of  our 
into  some  bay 
ad  been  origin- 
Lhc  affirmative; 
id  not  consider 
slaves,  under 
>y  the  ordinary 
»otcntiaries  did 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


383 


No  definite  proposals  of  any  kind  resulted  from 
this  day's  discussions.  It  was  agreed  that  we 
should  adjourn  to  Friday  the  fourth  of  September. 
The  British  plenipotentiaries  hoped  to  be  ready  by 
that  day  to  submit  proposals  on  impressment,  we 
promising  to  hand  in,  immediately  afterwards,  ours 
on  other  maritime  questions.  We  made  known  our 
intention  not  to  discuss  any  maritime  (juestion^  unless 
that  of  impressment  was  brought  forivard  by  Great 
Britain. 

September  1.     Called  on  Lord  Castlereagh.     He 
had  sent  a  note  requesting  to  see  me.     His  travel- 
ling carriages  were  at  the  door,  preparatory  to  his 
departure  for  Dover  on  his  journey  to  the  conti- 
nent.  He  remarked  that  he  had  delayed  this  inter- 
view as  his  last  act  of  business;  but  not  one  least  in 
his  thoughts.     It  was  to  make  a  communication 
to  me  on  impressment.     He  had  reported  to  the 
cabinet  all  that  passed  at  our  preparatory  meeting 
at  North  Cray,  making  known  especially  our  ob- 
jections to  the  condition  which  went  to  authorise 
a  British  boarding  ofiicer  to  call  for  a  list  of  the 
crew.     The   British  governmont  felt  an  anxious 
desire  to  accommodate  this  difiicult  subject,  and  had 
determined  upon  going  all  practicable  lengths ;  he 


384 


RESIDENCE  AT  THE 


[1818. 


* 
•  ■ 


e        I 


•I 


I,  J    I 


I'. 


had  therefore  to  inform  me,  that  this  condition 
would  be  waved.  Such  had  been  the  determina- 
tion of  the  cabinet;  he  took  great  pleasure,  he  said, 
in  apprizing  me  of  it,  hoping  I  would  see  in  it  proof 
of  the  friendly  feeling  which  prevailed  in  its  coun- 
cils towards  the  United  States. 

I  replied  in  suitable  terms  to  his  communication. 
Continuing  his  remarks,  he  said,  that  the  course 
which  the  cabinet  had  resolved  upon,  would  pro- 
bably give  a  shock  to  public  feeling  in  England 
when  known;  but  its  members  would  be  prepared 
to  meet  it.  He  concluded  by  observing,  that  the 
great  principle  being  at  last  settled,  viz.  that  on 
our  engaging  not  to  employ  British  seamen,  the 
practice  of  impressment  from  our  vessels  would 
cease,  he  hoped  all  details  would  be  easily  arran- 
ged ;  their  proposals,  put  into  form,  would  be  ready 
as  soon  as  we  were  prepared  with  ours  on  the  fish- 
eries and  West  India  trade. 

A  few  words  were  exchanged  on  other  points. 
Speaking  of  the  trade  in  time  of  war  with  the  colo- 
nial ports  of  a  belligerent,  I  perceived  a  disinclina- 
tion in  his  mind  to  consider  it  as  among  the  ques- 
tions to  be  treated  of.  He  said  that  the  rule  of  '56 
was  one  that  Great  Britain  regarded  as  so  well 
established,  that  he  did  not  see  how  we  could  touch 


'      f 


[1818. 

lis  condition 
le  determina- 
Lsure,  he  said, 
see  in  it  proof 
d  in  its  coun- 

)mmunication. 
lat  the  course 
►n,  would  pro- 
ig  in  England 
dd  be  prepared 
jrving,  that  the 
ed,  viz.  that  on 
sh  seitmen,  the 
r  vessels  would 
be  easily  arran- 
^  would  be  ready 
)urs  on  the  fish- 

n  other  points. 
XT  with  the  colo- 
ved  a  disinclina- 
among  the  ques- 
at  the  rule  of  '56 
Irded  as  so  well 
we  could  touch 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


385 


it.  I  replied,  that  I  had  been  under  the  belief  that 
the  question  was  to  come  into  the  negotiation, 
whatever  might  prove  its  fate ;  adding,  that  the  two 
governments  had  been  so  near  an  adjustment  of  it 
heretofore,  that  there  seemed  no  reason  to  despair 
now.  At  this  point  of  the  conversation.  Sir  Wil- 
ham  Scott  was  announced,  who  had  come  to  say  a 
few  words  to  him.  The  coincidence  claims  a 
passing  notice.  This  celebrated  judge  of  the 
English  court  of  Admiralty,  in  whose  decrees  elo- 
quence always  unites  with  learning  to  stretch  the 
belligerent  and  depress  the  neutral  claim,  was  the 
same  whose  elaborate  judgment  in  the  case  of  the 
Immanuel,  had  done  so  much  towards  fortifying  the 
British  government  in  the  very  rule  we  were  talk- 
ing about !  Our  conversation  dropped.  His  lord- 
ship was  on  the  eve  of  departure  and  could  not 
prolong  it.  He  requested  I  would  impart  to  Mr. 
Gallatin  what  had  passed  on  impressment,  and 
gave  me  his  adieus.  A  few  minutes  afterwards, 
his  carriages  drove  off. 

The  affairs  of  the  foreign  office  were  confided, 
during  his  absence,  to  Earl  Bathurst ;  who  receiv- 
ed, and  corresponded  with,  the  foreign  ministers. 
The  chief  purpose  of  the  congress  of  Aix  La  Cha- 
pello  was,  to  determine  whether  the  armies  of  the 
49 


'  «^ 


386 


RESIDENCE   AT  THE 


I':    •  *- 


[1818. 


allied  powers  should  be  withdrawn  from  France 
this  autumn,  or  remain  two  years  longer.  Besides 
other  considerations  ffallinij  to  France  in  the  occu- 
pation,  the  expense,  which  she  was  made  to  bear, 
pressed  heavily  upon  her.  Other  European  topics 
were  to  engage  the  attention  of  the  congress ;  and 
the  business  of  Spanish  America  was  not  to  be 
passed  by,  as  Lord  Castlereagh  had,  on  a  former 
occasion,  intimated  to  me. 


^K 


[1818. 

from  France 
(Tcr.     Besides 
:e  ill  the  occii- 
niade  to  bear, 
uropean  topics 
congress;  and 
xvas  not  to  be 
id,  on  a  former 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


387 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

PROGRESS    OF    THE  NEGOTIATION.       A  CONVENTION  CON- 
CLUDED.      QUESTIONS     ARRAN(iED    BY    IT,  VIZ.    THAT 

OF      THE      FISHERIES NORTH-WESTERN      ROUNDARY 

LINE COLU3IBIA    RIVER    AND    TEJIRITORY    WEST    OF 

THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS COMMERCIAL    CONVENTION 

OF     18113 SLAVES      CARRIED      OFF      CONTRARY     TO 

THE    TREATY  OF  GHENT. 


The  plenipotentiaries  assembled  again  at  Wliitc- 
hall,  according  to  appointment. 

Ilavinjj  jriven  an  acconnt  of  tlie  first  staws  of 
the  negotiation  in  tlie  order  of  dates,  it  is  no  lon- 
ger my  design  to  proceed  in  tliat  manner.  It  lias 
been  seen  thai  the  subjects  were  multifarious.  All 
demanded  fittcntion;  some,  copious  discussions. 
These,  with  the  documents  at  large,  the  protocols, 
the  projets  and  counter-projets,  debated  and  modi- 
fied by  the  scrutiny  of  each  sid(%  wouhl  presc^it  a 
mass  of  matter  through  which  the  diplomatist  or 
politician  might  perhaps  wade ;    but    be   little    at- 


388 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


'"•V 


^       1-1, 


*  ■ 


:  ^..-,1 


I     \ 


tractive  to  any  one  else.  My  endeavour  will  be, 
to  embody  an  intelligible  history  of  the  negotiation, 
by  giving  results  rather  than  details.  The  latter 
are  deposited  in  the  archives  of  the  two  govern- 
ments. I  will  draw  upon  them  to  no  greater  ex- 
tent than  may  be  necessary  to  illustrate  principles 
upon  which  the  negotiation  turned,  whether  in  its 
success  or  failure.  Some  of  these  principles  are 
important  to  both  nations ;  and  to  record  them 
with  impartiality  and  justice  to  both,  is  the  aim  I 
propose  to  myself. 

Throughout  September  and  October,  meetings 
were  as  constant  as  was  compatible  with  maturing 
in  a  proper  manner  the  various  subjects  in  hand. 
By  the  twentieth  of  October,  all  appeared  to  have 
been  fully  discussed.  The  points  were  ascertained 
on  which  there  could  be  agreement,  as  well  as 
those  on  which  it  was  hopeless,  in  the  existing  dis- 
position of  the  two  governments,  to  continue  the 
negotiation  longer.  Accordingly,  on  that  day,  a 
convention  was  signed,  which  comprehended  the 
following  subjects : 

1.  That  of  the  Fisheries.  This,  although  not 
first  in  the  order  of  discussion,  came  first  in  the 
convention.  The  points  of  misunderstanding  had 
not  risen  to  much  height,   practically;  but  it  is 


[1818. 

our  will  be, 

3  negotiation, 

The  latter 

two  govern- 
o  greater  ex- 
rate  principles 
whether  in  its 

principles  are 
)  record  them 
)th,  is  the  aim  1 

■tober,  meetings 
[e  with  maturing 
[subjects  in  hand. 
,peared  to  have 
ere  ascertained 
lent,  as  well  as 
the  existing  d's- 
1   to  continue  the 
1,  on  that  day,  a 
)mprehended  tlie 

lis,  although  not 
[ame  first  in  the 
[iderstanding  liad 
Ltically ;  but  it  is 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


389 


scarcely  going  too  far  to  say,  that  they  menaced 
the  peace  of  the  two  countries.  They  therefore 
merit  special  notice. 

By  the  third  article  of  the  treaty  of  September 
1783,  between  the  United  States  and  Great  Bri- 
tain, the  people  of  the  former  had  the  right  to  take 
fish  on  the  Grand  Bank,  and  all  other  banks  of 
Newfoundland ;  in  the  Gidf  of  St.  Lawrence,  and 
all  other  places  in  the  sea,  ichere  the  inhabitants  of 
both  countries  had  been  used  to  fish  before ;  and  the 
LffiERTY  to  fish  on  such  part  of  the  coast  of  Newfound- 
land as  British  fishermen  used,  (but  not  to  dry  or 
cure  fish  there,)  and  on  the  coast,  bays  and  creeks 
of  all  other  British  dominions  in  America,  Ameri- 
can fishermen  had  also  the  liberty  to  dry  and  cure 
fish  in  any  unsettled  bays,  harbours,  and  creeks  of 
Nova  Scotia,  Magdalen  Islands,  and  Labrador  ;  but 
as  soon  as  any  of  them  were  settled,  this  liberty  was 
to  cease,  unless  continued  by  agreement  with  the 
inhabitants. 

These  were  rights  and  liberties  of  great  magni- 
tude to  the  United  States.  Besides  affording  pro- 
fitable fields  of  commerce,  they  fostered  a  race  of 
seamen,  conducive  to  the  national  riches  in  peace, 
as  to  defence  and  glory  in  war.  After  the  peace 
of  Ghent,  the  fishing  vessels  of  the  Union  proceed- 


390 


RESIDENCE   AT  THE 


[1818. 


f*; 


■i 


I 


-»!..    f 


'•■■* 


l!  J   i 


'-^~«»*. 


ed  as  formerly  to  fish  oflf  the  British  coast,  and  use 
the  unsettled  shores  for  curing  and  drying,  accord- 
ing to  the  stipulations  of  the  above  treaty.  They 
were  immediately  ordered  off  by  the  British  naval 
forces.  Some  were  captured.  The  ground  alleg- 
ed, was,  that  the  treaty  was  no  longer  in  existence. 
The  government  of  the  United  States  obtained  a 
suspension  of  these  apparently  hostile  orders  and 
proceedings,  until  the  two  governments  could 
make  efforts  for  adjusting  a  question  of  so  much 
moment. 

The  British  doctrine  was,  that  the  treaty  of 
1783,  not  being  re-enacted  or  confirmed  by  the 
treaty  of  Ghent,  was  annulled  by  the  war  of  1812. 

The  United  States  wholly  dissented  from  this 
doctrine.  They  did  not  deny  the  general  rule  of 
public  law  on  which  Britain  relied — that  a  war 
puts  an  end  to  previous  treaties;  but  they  insisted 
that  the  rule  was  not  applicable  to  the  treaty  of 
1783.  That  treaty,  was  peculiar  in  its  nature  and 
objects,  it  had  no  analogy  to  common  treaties 
and  was  not  to  be  judged  by  their  rules.  It  was  a 
treaty  by  which  Great  Britain  had  acknowledged 
the  independence  of  the  United  States,  after  a 
seven  years  contest  in  arms.  It  made  two  empire? 
out  of  one.    It  was  a  treaty  of  separation.    The 


[1818. 

,st,  and  use 
ng,  accord- 
aty.    Tlioy 
British  naval 
rround  allcg- 
in  existence. 
;s  obtained  a 
c  orders  and 
nments   could 
Q  of  so  mucli 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


391 


its  nature  and 

amnion  treaties 

rules.     It^vasa 

ll  acknowledged 

1  States,   after  a 

[ade  two  empii*^^ 

reparation.    Tlic 


rights  of  each  party  were  laid  doAvn  as  primary 
and   fundamental,   in  the   act  of  dismemberment 
which  the  treaty  established;  so  much  of  territory 
and  incidental  rights  in  America,  were  allotted  to 
one,  so  much  to  the  other.     The  entire  instrument 
implied  permanence.     Hence  all  the  fishing  rights 
secured  under  it  to  the  United  States,  were  placed 
by  Great  Britain  upon  the  same  foundation  with 
their  independence  itself.     Was  her  acknowledg- 
ment of  the  latter  revoked  by  the  war  of  1812  ? 
or  were  the  boundaries  of  the  United  States  as 
fixed  by  the  treaty  of  1783,  annulled  by  that  war  ? 
So  far  was  this  from  being  the  case,  that  the  treaty 
of  Ghent,   in  making   provision   for  ascertaining 
with  further  accuracy  some  parts  of  the  boundary 
line,  constantly  referred  to  the  treaty  of  1783; 
thus  manifesting  a  tacit  conviction  on  each  ^ide, 
that  this  treaty  was  regarded  as  the  fundamental 
law  of  the  relations  between  the  two  countries. 
By  what  rule  then  was  the  war  to  destroy  the  treaty 
in  some  parts  and  leave  it  whole  in  others  ?   The 
use  of  the  word  rigid  in  one  place  and  liberty  in 
another,  could  make  no  difierence.     A  liberty  of 
unlimited  duration,  secured  by  so  elementary  and 
solemn  a  deed,  was  as  much  a  right  as  if  stipulated 
by  any  other  term.     In  speaking  of  rights  and 


;;f 


392 


RESIDENCE   AT  THE 


[1818. 


*  •  ■        A-, 


:       r        i- 
l  ■      * 


■.!  /t 


f  I 


liberties  in  a  national  sense,  both  terms  were  alike 
efficacious.     Liberty  might  have  seemed  the  more 
appropriate  term  where  an  enjoyment  was  guaran- 
teed to  one  party,  of  a  thing  adjoining  territory 
allotted  to  the  other ;  but  it  took  nothing  from  the 
permanence  of  the  allotment.    In  point  of  principle 
the  United  States  were   preeminently  entitled  to 
all  these  fisheries;  and  in  point  of  fact  they  had 
enjoyed  more  of  them  than  any  other  portion  of 
the  British  empire  before  the  separation.      The 
people  of  New  England,  from  their  proximity,  had 
been  earlier  led  to  the  discovery  and  improvement 
of  the  best  fishing  grounds,   and  had  also,  with 
other  parts  of  the  Union,   contributed  amply  in 
blood  and  treasure  towards  winning  from  France, 
provinces  on  t?  ^  coast  of  which  some  of  the  fish- 
eries were  situated.     Apart  from  the  question  of 
right,  the  claim  of  the  United  States  had  high 
sanctions.      These  fisheries  afforded   subsistence 
to  a  numerous  class  of  their  inhabitants.    By  the 
usages  of  nations,   fishermen   were  a  portion  of 
human  society  whose  occupations,  contributing  to 
the  general  welfare  of  the  species,  were  always 
regarded  with  favour.    Sometimes  they  were  even 
exempt  from  the  effects  of  war  whilst  it  raged; 
as  when  England  herself  allowed  the  Dutch  to  fish 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


393 


upon  her  coasts  at  such  seasons.  The  foregoing 
is  a  synopsis  of  the  material  arguments  by  which 
the  claim  of  the  United  States  was  defended. 
Whatever  could  shed  light  upon  it,  had  been 
urged  by  Mr.  Adams  when  in  the  English  mission, 
with  an  abihty  and  fulness  that  left  little  to  be  said 
after  him. 

The  claim  was  resisted  by  Great  Britain  in  a 
manner  to  give  proof  of  her  equal  sincerity  in  the 
opposite  doctrine.     She  denied  that  the  treaty  of 
1783  had  any  thing  in  its  nature  to  exempt  it  from 
abrogation  by  a  war.     She  knew  of  no  exception 
to  this  rule  of  international  law,  and  could  not  con- 
sent to  give  her  diplomatic  relations  with  one  state, 
a  different  degree  of  permanence  from   that  on 
which  her  connexion  with  all  other  states  depended. 
She  did  not  admit  that  this  treaty  was  to  be  regard- 
ed as  in  force  because  the  treaty  of  Ghent  had 
referred  to  it  on  the  subject  of  boundaries.    One 
object  of  the  latter  treaty  was,  the  mutual  restora- 
tion of  territory  taken  by  either  party  from  the  other 
during  the  war.    As  a  necessary  consequence  of 
such  a  stipulation,  each  party  reverted  to   their 
boundaries  as  before  the  w^ar ;  and  the  treaty  of 
1783  having  fixed  these,  the  treaty  of  Ghent  had 
referred  to  them  as /ads,  nothing  more.    She  con- 
50 


'  i 


\    . 

u  ■: 


I .  '^ 


■'^^i.i 


394  RESIDBNCE    AT    tHE  [1818. 

tended  that  it  was  not  unusual  for  treaties  contain- 
ing recognitions  and  acknowledgments  of  perpetual 
obligation,  to  contain  likewise  grants  of  privileges 
liable  to  be  revoked.  The  treaty  of  1783  contain- 
ed provisions  of  different  characters ;  some  in  per- 
petuity, others,  from  their  nature,  temporary.  If 
it  were  inferred  because  some  of  the  advanta- 
ges specified  would  not  be  lost  by  a  war,  that 
therefore  all  were  designed  to  be  permanent,  it 
ought  first  to  be  shown  that  the  advantages  them- 
selves were  the  same ;  or  at  least  of  similar  cha- 
racter. But  what  necessary  connexion  was  there 
between  a  right  to  national  independence,  and  a 
liberty  to  fish  within  British  jurisdiction,  or  use 
British  territory?  Liberties  within  British  limits, 
were  as  capable  of  being  exercised  by  a  dependent, 
as  an  independent  state ;  they  could  not  therefore 
be  the  necessary  consequence  of  independence.  The 
independence  of  a  nation  was  that  which  could  not 
be  correctly  said  to  be  granted  by  a  treaty,  but  to 
be  acknowledged  by  one.  In  the  treaty  of  1783 
the  independence  of  the  United  States  was  acknow- 
ledged by  Great  Britain,  as  it  hid  already  been  by 
the  powers  of  Europe ;  and  by  Britain  herself,  in 
her  previous  consent  in  November  1782,  to  enter 
into    provisional    articles.      Their    independence 


[1818. 

ies  contain- 
of  perpetual 
of  privileges 
783  contain- 
some  in  per- 
[nporary.    If 
the  advanta- 
a  war,  that 
permanent,  it 
intages  them- 
•  similar  cha- 
:ion  was  there 
mdence,  and  a 
fiction,  or  use 
British  limits, 
y  a  dependent, 
d  not  therefore 
pendence.  The 
rhich  could  not 
treaty,  but  to 
treaty  of  1783 
IS  was  acknow- 
ilready  beenby 

tain  herself,  in 
1782,  to  enter 
independence 


1818.] 


UOURT   OF     LONDON. 


395 


might  have  been  acknowledged  without  either  the 
treaty  or  provisional   articles;    but   by  whatever 
mode  acknowledged,  the  acknowledgment  was,  in 
its  nature,  irrevocable.     A  powder  of  revoking  or 
even  modifying  it,  would  be  destructive  of  the  thing 
itself,  and   was   therefore   necessarily    renounced 
when  the  acknowledgment  was  made.     She  urged 
as  corroborative  of  her  reasoning,  notwithstanding 
the  explanations  suggested  by  the  American  pleni- 
potentiaries, the  use  of  the  word  right  when  the 
United  States  were  to  take  fish  on  the  banks,  and 
other  places  from  which  Great  Britain  could  not 
pretend   to   exclude  any  independent  nation,  and 
LIBERTY  when  they  were  to  cure   and  dry  within 
British   territory.     The   latter   was  also  made  to 
depend  on  agreements  with  the  proprietors  of  the 
soil,  whenever  the  territory  might  become  settled. 
As  to  the  origin  of  the  fishing  privileges  in  point  of 
fact,  she  admitted  that  whilst  the  United  States 
made  part  of  the  British  dominions,  their  inhabi- 
tants had  the  enjoyment  of  them  in  common  with 
other  British  subjects ;  but  they  had,  at  the  same 
time,  like  British  subjects  every  where,  duties  to 
perform.    When  therefore  the  United  States,  by 
their  separation  from  Great  Britain,  became  releas- 
ed from  the  duties,  they  became  excluded  also  from 


Hi 


396 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


I  ■  i 


^V-; 


1 

< 

* 

i 

t. 

D 

m?^ 

1  V 
t 

I.  : 
1 

J! 


the  privileges  of  British  subjects.  The  above  is  a 
summary  of  the  reasoning  in  its  chief  parts, 
against  our  claim.  It  was  embodied  in  a  paper 
by  Lord  Bathurst,  in  October  1815,  prepared  with 
the  force  and  zeal  that  the  subject  demanded. 
The  views  of  each  party  on  the  question,  had  not 
been  left  out  of  sight  in  negotiating  the  treaty  of 
Ghent. 

To  the  distinction  so  much  insisted  on  by  Great 
Britain  between  liberty  and  right,  it  was  replied 
for  the  United  States,  that  the  former,  if  construed 
to  imply  limitation  of  time,  or  precariousness  of 
tenure,  would  defeat  the  whole  meaning  of  tlie 
article  as  gathered  from  the  context.  The  restric- 
tion itself  at  the  close  of  the  article,  stamped  per- 
manence upon  it.  The  intention  was,  that  tlif* 
people  of  the  United  States  should  continue  to 
enjoy  all  the  benefit  they  had  formerly  enjoyed 
from  the  fisheries,  with  the  exception  of  drying 
and  curing  on  the  shores  of  Ncufoimdland ;  but 
when  other  shores  on  which  they  were  to  liavc 
this  liberty,  became  settled,  then  its  exercise  was 
to  be  concihated  with  the  proprietary  rights  of  tlie 
owners  of  the  freehold.  This  was  precisely  the 
restriction  to  which  British  fislu^rmen  would  1k' 
liable.    Whence   it  followed,  that  the  argument 


[1818. 

e  above  is  a 
chief   parts, 
in  a  paper 
)repared  with 
:t  demanded, 
stion,  bad  not 
r  tbe  treaty  of 

;d  on  by  Great 
^  it  was  replied 
.r   if  construed 
ecariousness  of 
meaning  of  the 
t.    Tbe  restric- 
Ic,  stamped  per- 
was,  tbat  tb^^ 


1818.] 


COURT   OF   LONDON. 


397 


against  permanence  on  account  of  the  word  liber- 
ty being  used,  if  apphcable  to  the  inhabitants  of 
the  United  States,  would  also  be  applicable  to  the 
subjects  of  Britain.     The  argument  therefore  by 
proving  too  much,  proved  nothing.     The  princi- 
ples of  municipal  law  in  England,  wliich  were  the 
same  in  the  United  States,  corroborated  the  inter- 
pretation for    which   the  latter   contended.     By 
these,  the  property  of  a  fishery  was  not  necessarily 
in  the  owner  of  the  soil.     The  right  to  the  soil 
might  be  exclusive;   tbe  fishery,  free  or  in  com- 
mon.    Thus,  whilst  in  this  partition  of  the  national 
possessions  in   America,  the  jurisdiction  over  the 
shores  where  the  fisheries  were   situated  was  re- 
served to  Great  Britain,  the  fisheries  themselves 
and  accommodations  essential  to  their  prosecution 
and  enjoyment,   were,  by  the   mutual    compact, 
agreed  to  be  in  common.     IIow^  ditVcrcnt  the  course 
adopted  in  the  treaty  of  Utrecht  on  a  similar  point. 
By  the  twelfth  article  of  that  tn^aty.  Nova  Scotia 
was  ceded  to  Britain ;  yet  the;  subjects  of  France 
were  expressly  excluded  from  fishing  within  thirty 
leagues  of  the  coast.     This  prohibition  was  re- 
newed in  the  fifth  article  of  the  treaty  of  Paris  of 
17(Ki.     By   the   eighteenth   article   of  the    same 
treaty,  the  subjects  of  Spain  were  excluded  from 


398 


RESIDENCE  AT   THE 


[1818. 


It 


» 


1) 


all  fishing  rights  in  the  neighbourhood  of  New- 
foundland. The  treaty  of  1783  was,  therefore,  it 
was  again  insisted,  altogether  unlike  common  trea- 
ties. It  contemplated  a  permanent  division  of 
coequal  rights,  not  a  transient  grant  of  mere  pri- 
vileges. The  acknowledgment  of  independence, 
the  establishment  of  boundaries,  and  the  guarantee 
of  the  fisheries,  each  rested  upon  the  same  immu- 
table basis. 

Neither  side  yielded  its  convictions  to  the  rea- 
soning of  the  other.  This  being  exhausted,  there 
was  no  resource  left  with  nations  disposed  to 
peace  but  a  compromise.  Great  Britain  grew 
willing  to  give  up  something.  The  United  States 
consented  to  take  less  than  the  whole.  After  va- 
rious proposals  by  the  former,  which  the  latter  re- 
jected as  inadequate,  we  at  length,  as  their  pleni- 
potentiaries, acceded  to  the  following:  viz. 

That  the  United  States  should  Iiave,  forever,  in 
common  with  British  subjects,  the  liberty  to  fish  on 
the  soittJicni  coast  of  Newfoundland,  from  Cape  Ra^ 
to  the  Rameau  Islands  ;  and  from  that  cape  to  ih 
Quirpon  Islands  on  the  western  and  northern  rofls/s'Bn 
and  on  tJte  shores  of  the  Magdalen  Islands ;  and 
the  coasts,  bays,  harbours  and  creeks  from  Mom> 
Joli,  on  the  southern  coast  of  Ijobrador,  through  th^f 


ex 


?a 


[1818.     I     1818.] 

od  of  New- 
therefore,  it 
ommon  trea- 
■   division  of 
•  of  mere  pri- 
independence, 
the  guarantee 
le  same  immu- 

ons  to  the  rea- 
xhausted,  there 
as   disposed  to 
jLt  Britain  grew 
ic  United  States 
.hole.     After  va- 
uch  the  latter  re- 

,,  as  their  pleni- 
ing:  viz. 

JuiVe,  FOREVER,  i« 

Uhcrty  to  M  '' 
JrortiCapen^^ 

m  tlmt  cape  to  1^^ 
d  northern  coash; 

n  Islands;  and ^^^^ 

reeks  from  M«"»' 
rador,  through  ih 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


399 


Straits  of  Belieisle,   and   thence  indefinitely  along 
the  coast,  northimrdly  ;  hut  without  prejudice  to  any 
exclusive  rights  of  the  Hudson  Bay  Company :  Also 
the  liberty,  forever,  to  dry  and  cure  fish  in  any  of 
the  unsettled  hays,  harbours  and  cre?ks  of  the  south- 
ern coast  of    Newfoundland,  as   alove    described; 
and  of  the  coast  of  Labrador ;  subject,  after  settle- 
ment,  to  agreement  with  the  proprietors  of  the  soil. 
In  consequence  of  the  above  stipulations,  the  United 
States  renounced  forever  the  liberty  of  fishing  within 
three  miles  of  any  other  part  of  the  British  coasts  in 
America,  or  of  curing  or  drying  on   them.     But 
American  fishermen  tvere  to  be  permitted  to  enter 
kys  or  harbours  on  the  prohibited  coasts  for  shelter, 
repuiring  damages,  and  obtaining  wood  and  toater, 
mhject  to  restrictions  necessary  to  prevent  abuses. 
Such  was  the  article  finally  agreed  upon.    The 
most  difficult  part  of  our  task,  was  on  the  question 
of  permanence.     Britain  would  not  consent  to  an 
express  clause  that  a  future  war  was  not  to  abro- 
pte  the  rights  secured  to  us.     Wc  inserted  the 
otA  forever,  aiid  drew  up  a  paper  to  be  of  record 
in  the  negotiation,  purporting  that  if  the  conven- 
on  should  from  any  cause  be  vacated,  all  anterior 
ights  were  to  revive.    The  insertion  of  any  words 
f  perpetuity,  was   strenuously   resisted    by  the 


400 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


^^ , 


t     i-i! 


r  I' 

"4  ^, 


I  ! 


i  ' 


British  plenipotentiaries.  They  said,  that  in  case 
of  war,  the  only  effect  of  their  omission  would  be, 
the  necessity  of  providing  in  the  treaty  of  peace, 
fir  the  renewal  of  the  right.  We  replied,  that  we 
could  agree  to  no  article  on  the  subject,  unless  the 
word  forever  was  retained;  or  if  any  counter 
record  was  made  on  the  protocol  impairing  its 
effect. 

It  was  by  our  act  that  the  United  States  re- 
nounced the  right  to  the  fisheries  not  guaranteed 
to  them  by  the  convention.     That  clause  did  not 
find  a  place   in  the  British  counter-projet.    We 
deemed  it  proper  under  a  threefold  view;  1,  to  ex- 
clude the  implication  of  the  fisheries  secured  to  us 
being  a  new  grant;  2,  to  place  the  rights  secured 
and  renounced,  on  the  same  footing  of  permanence; 
3,  that  it  might  expressly  appear,  that  our  renun- 
ciation was  limited  to  three  miles  from  the  coast;;. 
This  last  point  we  deemed  of  the  more  consequence 
from    our   fishermen   having    informed    us,   that 
the  whole  fishing  ground  on   the  coast  of  Nova  '| 
Scotia,  extended  to  a  greater  distance  than  three 
miles  from  land ;  whereas,  along  the  coasts  of  La- 
brador it  was  almost  universally  close  in  with  the 
shore.    To  the  saving  of  the  exclusive  rights  ot 
the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  we  did  not  object. 


[1818. 

that  in  case 
on  would  be, 
aty  of  peace, 
plied,  that  we 
3ct,  unless  the 

any  counter 

impairing  its 

ited  States  re- 
[lot  guaranteed 
:  clause  did  not 
^er-projet.    We 

view;  l^to  ex- 
es secured  to  us 
rights  secured 

of  permanence; 

that  our  renun- 

from  the  coasts. 

,iore  consequence 

formed   us,   that 
coast  of  Nova' 

itance  than  three 
[the  coasts  of  La- 
close  in  with  the 
Ixclusivc  rights  of  I 
|e  did  not  object. 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


401 


The  charter  of  that  company  had  been  granted  in 
1670,  and  the  people  of  the  United  States  had 
never  enjoyed  rights  in  that  bay  that  could  trench 
upon  those  of  the  company.  Finally,  it  is  to 
be  remarked,  that  the  liberty  of  drying  and  cur- 
ing on  certain  parts  of  the  coast  of  Newfound- 
land, as  secured  in  the  article,  had  not  been 
allotted  to  the  United  States  even  under  the  old 
treaty  of  1783. 

When  the  convention  was  made  public,  it  un- 
derwent criticism  in  Britain   as   too   favourable, 
throughout,  to  the  United  States.     But  this  article 
on  the  fisheries,  was  assailed  with  peculiar  force. 
The    leading    presses   of  London,    opened   their 
batteries  against  it.     The  claims  of  the  United 
States  wore  described  as  of  frightful  magnitude ; 
the  concessions  by  England,  as  of  a  character  cor- 
responding.    Important  maritime  interests  of  the 
British  empire,  were  said  to  have  been  sacrificed. 
Complaints    poured    in  from   the   colonies.     The 
legislative  assembly  and  council  of  Nova  Scotia, 
sent  forward    remonstrances,   with    which    were 
mixed  up,  not  unsparingly,  charges  of  American 
ambition  and  encroachment.     The  tide  of  complaint 
was  swelled  by  the  recollection  of  similar  alleged 
sacrifices    under    the   treaty    of  Parihs  of    1^1 1. 
51 


402 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


;i.-. 


I-I  ! 


Britain  by  that  treaty,  said  the  journals,  had  given 
back,  and  this  when  she  was  at  the  height  of  in- 
fluence and  power,  to  France,  her  great  European 
rival,  the  enjoyment  of  the  Newfoundland  fisheries, 
from  which  twenty  years  of  victorious  warfare 
upon  the  ocean  had  totally  driven  her ;  and  now 
the  calamity  was  to  be  doubled,  by  a  like  gift  to 
her  rival  in  the  other  hemisphere  ! 

British  statesmen,  more  calm,  thought  and  acted 
otherwise.  They  had  not  been  deterred  by  the 
anticipation  of  clamor  from  entering  into  the 
article.  They  felt  that  if  they  had  a  duty  to  fulfil 
by  guarding  British  interests  on  the  one  hand,  they 
were  not  released  from  the  obligation  of  looking 
to  the  just  rights  of  an  independent  nation  on  the 
other.  It  was  in  this  spirit  that  a  formidable  cause 
of  collision  was  removed,  without  impairing  the 
honour,  or,  as  is  believed,  the  essential  interests  of 
either  country. 

Yet  it  is  proper  for  the  United  States  to  bear  in 
mind,  that  Great  Britain  still  holds  to  the  doctrine 
that  the  war  of  1812  totally  abrogated  the  original 
treaty  of  1783,  on  the  question  of  the  fisheries; 
the  inference  from  which  may  be,  that  she  would 
also  hold  this  convention  of  1818  to  be  abro<;atcd 
on  the  same  point  by  a  f!'.M;»-e  war,  notwithstanding 


II 


[1818. 


1818.] 


COURT   OP   LONDON. 


403 


s,  had  given 
height  of  in- 
at  European 
and  fisheries, 
ious  warfare 
^er;  and  now 
a  hkc  gift  to 

light  and  acted 
3tcrrcd  by  the 
3ring  into   the 
a  duty  to  fulfil 
one  hand,  they 
Ltion  of  looking 
at  nation  on  the 
brmidable  cause 
It  impairing  the 
Intial  interests  of 


our  insertion  of  words  of  perpotu  ty.  Hence, 
apart  from  the  historical  interest  of  this  part  of  the 
negotiation,  there  is  an  existing  interest  in  it  from 
the  contingent  importance  of  the  same  question  in 
time  to  come. 

IL  The  second  article  related  to  the  boundary 

line,  from  the  Lake  of  the  Woods.     This   line 

had  been   originally  laid  down  in   the  treaty   of 

1783.     It  proved  defective,  and  further  provision 

was  made  for  running  it,  in  the  treaty  of  1794. 

Several    attempts    for    effecting    this    provision, 

came  to   nothing.     The  cession  of  Louisiana  by 

France  in  1803,  gave  to  the  United  States  new 

and  extensive  territory  west   of  the  Mississippi. 

This  altered  the  relative  position  of  Great  Britain 

and  the  United  States   in  this  quarter,  and    the 

hitherto  unsettled  boundary   was  now  arranged. 

It  was  provided,  that  a  line  drawn  from  the  most 

northwestern   point   of  the    Lake    of   the     Woods 

along  the  forty  ninth  degree  of  latitude  due  west, 

should  be  the  line  of  demarhation,  forming  the 

southern  boundary  of  the  British  territories  and  the 

northern  boundary  of  the  United  States,  from  the 

Lake  of  the  Woods  to  the  Roeky  Moiintains.     In 

case  such  a  line  would  not  run  along  the  forty -ninth 

degree,  but  fall  above  or  beloiv  it,  then  the  line  was 


%. 


.^-^I^V, 


404 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


**^. 


^      "    ■«■■ 

*    ■ :  '■-• 
* 


■  ■   t 


■   1.       I' 


'1 

t       i 


A 


^*- 


to  be  traced  hy  first  clrawmg  one  from  the  same 
point,  north  or  south,  as  the  case  might  he,  until  it 
struck  forty  nine  ;  from  which  point  of  intersection 
the  western  line  was  to  begin.  Thus  it  was  de- 
finitively settled. 

An  attempt  was  made  by  the  British  plenipoten- 
tiaries to  connect  with  this  article,  a  clause  secur- 
ing to  Great  Britain  access  to  the  Mississippi, 
and  the  right  to  its  navigation.  They  made  a 
similar  claim  at  Ghent,  but  withdrew  it ;  and  we 
declared  that  we  could  consent  to  no  clause  of  that 
nature.  Its  omission  having,  in  the  end,  been 
agreed  to,  that  subject  was  also  put  at  rest.  Bri- 
tain, under  the  treaty  of  1783,  had  the  right  of 
navigating  the  Mississippi;  but  it  was  then  the 
western  boundary  of  the  United  States.  Their 
northern  boundary,  by  the  same  treaty,  was  to 
have  been  a  line  running  due  west  from  the  most 
northwestern  point  of  the  Lake  of  the  Woods  to 
the  Mississippi,  It  was  afterwards  ascertained  that 
a  line  so  drawn,  would  not  strike  the  Missis- 
sippi; its  head  waters  not  being  within  British 
limits,  as  at  first  supposed.  Hence,  all  reason  for 
Britain  to  claim  the  right  of  navigating  a  river 
which  touched  no  part  of  her  dominions,  ceased. 
The  United  States  have  claimed,  in  a  subsequent 


[1818. 

)m  the  same 
t  be,  until  it 
■  intersection 
i  it  was  de- 

;h  plenipoten- 
clause  secur- 
;    Mississippi, 
They  made  a 
;w  it ;  and  we 
)  clause  of  that 

the  end,  been 
I  at  rest.    Bri- 
d  the  right  of 
was  then  the 
States.    Their 
treaty,  was  to 
from  the  most 
[f  the  Woods  to 
ascertained  that 
like   the  Missis- 
within  British 
;e,  all  reason  fov 
Ivigating  a  river 
Iminions,  ceased. 
in  a  subsequent 


1818.] 


COURT   OF   LONDON. 


405 


negotiation,  the  right  of  navigating  the  St.  Law- 
rence, from  its  sources  to  its  mouth.  The  essen- 
tia! difference  in  the  two  cases,  is,  that  the  tipper 
waters  of  the  St,  Lawrence  flow  thrc  h  territory 
belonging  to  both  countries,  and  form  a  natural 
outlet  to  the  ocean  for  the  inhabitants  of  several 
states  of  the  American  Union. 

III.   The  third  article  effected  a  temporary  ar- 
rangement of  claims  beyond  the  Rocky  Mountains 
and  to  Columbia  river.     I  have  related  what  passed 
relative  to  the  settlement  at  the  mouth  of  this  river, 
in  my  interview  with  Lord  Castlereagh  in  February. 
That  settlement,  called  Astoria,  made  by  Ameri- 
cans, was  broken  up  by  the  British  during  the  war, 
but  fell  back  to  the  United  States  by  the  treaty  of 
Ghent,  on  the  principle  of  status  ante  bcllum.     The 
British  plenipotentiaries  manifested  a  strong  desire 
to  connect  this  subject  with  that  of  the  boundary 
line ;  and  appeared  unwilling,  except  under  such  a 
connexion,  to  agree  to  the  line  in  any  shape.     We 
proposed  its  extension  to  the  Pacific  ocean.     The 
treaty  of  Utrecht  had  fixed  the  forty-ninth  degree 
of  latitude  as  the  line  between  the  possessions  of 
Britain  and   France,  including   Louisiana,   since 
ceded  to  the  United  States.    If  therefore  the  Uni- 
ted States  and  Britain  arranged  their  claims  west- 


I 


406 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


■  I^' 


I      i 


r- 


^ 


"%.,,)•.■ 


■^■ 


;:j 


\i 


ward,  the  same   line  carried  on  to   the   Pacific, 
seemed  the  natural  one.     We  contended  that,  as 
far  as  prior  discovery  could  give  the  right  to  terri- 
tory, ours  was  complete  to  the  whole,  on  the  wa- 
ters of  the  Columbia.    It  derived  its  name  from  the 
American  ship  that  first  entered  its  mouth.    It  was 
first   explored  from   its  inland  sources  under  the 
express  authority  of  the  government  of  the  United 
States.     The    British    traveller,    M'Kensie,    had 
mistaken  another  river  for  a  branch  of  the  Colum- 
bia ;  the  American  travellers,  Lewis  and  Clarke,  as 
was  now  fully  ascertained,  having  been  the  first 
to  trace  the  Columbia  from   the   interior  to  the 
ocean.     Astoria  had,  as  incontestibly,  been  the  first 
permanent  settlement  at  its  mouth. 

The  British  plenipotentiaries  asserted,  that  ear- 
lier voyages  of  Eijolish  navigators,  amongst  them 
Cook's,  gave  to  Britain  the  rights  of  prior  discovery 
on  this  coast.  They  alleged  also  that  purchases 
of  territory  had  been  made  by  Britain,  or  her  sub- 
jects, from  the  natives  south  of  this  river,  before 
the  American  revolution.  They  made  no  formal 
proposal  of  a  boundary  in  these  regions,  but  inti- 
mated that  the  river  itself  was  the  most  convenient, 
and  said  they  could  agree  to  none  that  did  not 
give  them  the  harbour  at  its  mouth,  in  common 


[1818. 

Lhe  Pacific, 
ied  that,  as 
,ght  to  terri- 
^  on  the  wa- 
iine  from  the 
3Uth.    It  was 
les  under  the 
of  the  United 
[ilCensie,   had 
of  the  Colum- 
and  Clarke,  as 
been  the  first 
interior  to  the 
ly,  been  the  first 

;erted,  that  ear- 
amongst  them 
prior  discovery 
that  purchases 

:ain,  or  her  sub- 
as  river,  hefore 
made  no  formal 

[regions,  but  inti- 
tnost  convenient, 

,ne  that  did  not 
,outh,  in  common 


1818.]  COURT  OF  LONIlO^  407 

with  the  United  States.  To  tin.  m  coul«  not 
assent,  but  were  willing  to  leav(  bings  \^  st  of 
the  mountains,  at  large  for  future  settlement.  To 
this  they  objected,  and  made  in  turn  propositions 
objectionable  in  our  eyes.  Finally  it  was  agreed, 
that  the  country  on  the  north-west  coast  of  America, 
westward  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  claimed  by 
either  nation,  should  be  open  to  the  inhabitants  of 
both,  for  ten  years,  for  purposes  of  trade  ;  ivith  the 
equal  right  of  navigating  all  its  rivers. 

This  whole  subject  was  discussed  more  fully  by 

both  nations  in  a  separate  negotiation  that  it  fell  to 

my  lot  to  conduct  on  behalf  of  the  United  States, 

in  1824.     Their  rights  on  the  north-west  coast  had 

been   materially  enlarged    by   the   treaty   of  the 

twenty-second  of  February  1819,  with  Spain.     By 

that  treaty  the  Floridas  were  transferred  to  the 

United  States,  and  a  surrender  mado  to  them  of 

all  the  rights  of  Spain  on  that  coast,  above  the 

forty-second  degree  of  north  latitude. 

Under  this  branch  of  the  discussion,  might  be 
seen  power  seeking  its  own  augmentation.  How 
strong  the  case  to  illustrate  this  reflection  :  A  na- 
tion whose  dominions  in  Europe  placed  her  in  the 
front  rank  of  power ;  whose  fleets  predominated  on 
the  ocean ;  who  had  subjects  in  Asia  too  numerous 


408 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


If*-,: 


«  ■ 

if 


l!   1   » 


f 


to  be  counted ;  whose  flag  was  planted  at  the  Capo 
of  Good  Hope,  and  other  posts  in  Africa ;   who 
had  Gibraltar  and  Malta  and  Heligoland,  enabling 
her  to  watch  the  Mediterranean  and  Baltic ;  who 
had  an  empire  in  the  West  Indies,  as  in  the  East ; 
and,  added  to  all,  vast  continental  colonies  in  Ame- 
rica— this  nation  was  anxiously  contending  for  ter- 
ritorial rights  in  deep  forests  beyond  the  Rocky 
mountains,  and  on  shores  which  the  waters  of  the 
northern  Pacific  wash  in  solitude !     In  the  time  of 
Queen  Mary,  when  the  communication  with  Mus- 
covy was  first  opened  by  the  discovery  of  a  pas- 
sage to  Archangel,  the  English  ventured  farther 
into  those  countries  than  any  Europeans  had  ever 
done  before.     They  transported  their  goods  alonff 
the  Dwina,  in  boats  made  of  one  entire  tree,  which 
they  towed  up  the  stream  to  Walogda;  thence 
they  carried  their  commodities  a  long  journey  over 
land,  and  down  the  Volga  to  Astracan ;  here  they 
built  ships,  crossed  the  Caspian  sea,  and  introduced 
their  manufactures  into  Persia.     So  far  Hume.    It 
makes  a  parallel  passage  in  their  history,  to  sec 
them  at  the  present  day  pressing  forward  to  supply 
with  rifles  and  blankets  savage  hordes  who  roam 
through  the  woods  and  paddle  their  canoes  over 


[1818. 

I  at  the  Cape 
Africa;   >vho 
xnd,  enabling 
Baltic;  who 
i  in  the  East ; 
onies  in  Ame- 
nding for  ter- 
nd  the  Rocky 
^vaters  of  the 
In  the  time  of 
tion  with  Mus- 
overy  of  a  pas- 
entured  farther 
peans  had  ever 
leir  goods  alon^ 
ire  tree,  which 
^alogda;  thence 
Dng  journey  over 
acan ;  here  they 
.,  and  introduced 
^o  far  Hume,   h 
>ir  history,  to  sec 
forward  to  supply 
hordes  who  roam 
■heir  canoes  over 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


409 


1 


the  waters  of  this  farthest  and  wildest  portion  of 
the  American  continent. 

I  cannot  leave  this  part  of  the  negotiation  with- 
out remarking,  that  the  important  question  of  ter- 
ritorial rights  which  it  involves  between  the  two 
nations,  is  still  an  open  one;  and  I  do  not  fear  to 
record  the  prediction  that  it  will  be  found  a  ques- 
tion full  of  difficulty,  under  whatever  administration 
either  of  Great  Britain  or  of  the  United  States,  it  may 
hereafter  be  approached.     It  is  not  in  the  genius  of 
either  nation  readily  to  yield  what  it  believes  itself 
entitled  to ;  and  however  strong  our  own  convictions 
of  the  just  foundation  of  the  whole  of  our  claim  on 
that  coast   and    its   interior,   the   convictions   of 
Great  Britain  in  the  stable  nature  of  her  right, 
that  interferes  so  materially  with  ours,  are  not  less 
decided   and   unequivocal.     Nor  will  she  push  it 
with  less  zeal;  not  more  on  the  general  ground  of  her 
maritime   and   commercial   enterprise,  which  are 
only  stopped  by  the  limits  of  the  globe,  than  on 
her  special  desire  to  foster  the  growing  interests  of 
her  colonial   settlements  all  over   this   continent, 
and  those  of  the  trading  companies  that  issue  from 
them. 

IV.  The  fourth  article  prolonged  for  ten  years 
the  existing  comn^.eicial  convention.    By  its  pro- 
52 


410 


RESIDENCE   AT   THE 


[1818. 


'    :■ 

;.  1/ 


1: 


i  ' 


*^*. 


visions,  a  reciprocal  liberty  of  commerce  is  establish- 
ed between  the  United  States  and  the  British  do- 
minions in  Ew'ope.     Importations   and  exporta- 
tions  into  or  from  either  nation,  are  to  be  the  same 
as  permitted  to  other  nations,  and  chargeable  luith 
no  higher  duties.      The  vessels  of  each  nation,  prnj 
equal  tonnage  duties  in  each  othcr-s  ports ;  and 
duties  upon  merchandise  imported  into  or  ex/jorted 
frotn  either,   are    the  same  whether   convcijcd  in 
vessels   of  the  one  nation,  or  the  other.      Other 
clauses  give  to  vessels  of  the  United  States  tk 
right  of  trading  ivith  the  principal  British  settle- 
ments  in  the  East  Indies:  viz.   Calcutta,  3fadras, 
Bombay  and  Prince   of  Wales's  Island;    but  it 
is  only  the  direct  trade  between  these  settlements 
and  the  United  States,  that  is  opened      The  ves- 
sels of  the  United  States  pursuing   this  trade,  or 
going  to  China,  may  also  touch  for  refrvshmnl 
at  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  St.   Helena,  or  olJm 
possessions  of  drat  Britain  in  the  African  or 
Indian    seas.      These   arc    the   principal   enact- 
ments  of  this   commercial  convention.      It  was 
originally  negotiated  in  the  summer  of  1815,  by 
three  public  men  of  the  United  States,  long  isigiia- 
lizcd  in  the  home  and  foreign  service,  Mr.  Adams 
Mr.  Clay,  and  Mr.  Gallatin.    Between  the  time  of 


[1818, 

ce  is  establish- 
le  British  do- 

and  cxporta- 

to  he  the  mme 
hargeable  with 
ich  nation,  pay 
r's  ports;  and 
Into  or  exlwrtfd 
er   conveyed  in 

other.  Other 
nitcd  States //tc 
al  British  scttk- 
alcMtta,  Madm, 
J  Island;  but  it 
:bcsc  settlements 
Uncd-     Theves- 

i<r   this  trade,  Of 
for  refreshment 

Helena,  or  otJw 

\i  the  ^Ifiif^'''  "■ 
principal   enact- 

Ivention.      It  >vas 

^unev  of  1815,  by 

states,  lonj,r  ^igiui- 

■rvice,  Mr.  Adame. 

3twccn  the  time  oi 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


411 


its  signature  in  London,  and  exchange  of  ratifica- 
tions at  Washington,  an  event  occurred  to  modify 
one  of  its  provisions — an  event  that  fixed  the  at- 
tention of  the  world.  It  -was  determined  by  the 
allied  powers,  that  Napoleon,  whose  reign  and 
dynasty  closed  at  Waterloo,  should  end  his  days 
at  St.  Helena.  As  a  consequence,  the  ratifications 
were  exchanged,  with  an  exception  of  the  right  of 
touching  there,  the  sentence  against  the  deposed 
emperor  containing  a  clause,  that  neither  British 
nor  any  other  vessels,  should  stop  at  that  island, 
whilst  it  remained  his  prison. 

The  parts  of  this  convention  which  establish  an 
equality  of  duties,  arc  liberal  and  wise.     That  the 
interest  of  nations  is  best  j)romoted  by  discarding 
jealousies,  is  a  truth  which,  in  the  abstract,  none 
will  contest ;  but  they  should  be  discarded  recipro- 
cally and  fully,  without  any  of  the  reservations  for 
which  liivourite  interests  always  plead.     Whether 
Rich  reciprocity  will  ever  be  found  compatible  with 
the  separate  existenccof  communities,  and  all  their 
separate  rivalries,  is  the  problem.     The  doctrine 
hitherto,  has  been  kiio>Mi  but  little  in  the  practice 
of  the  world.     The  United  States  did  their  part, 
at  the  conunencement  of  their  history,  towards 
giving  it  currency  J  not  always,  however,  with  the 


412 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


:  ,1 


4i; 


1 

»: 

t      .    , 

1   '       j 

•     ;     / 

H 

•'^ 

''  I 

)! 


success  that  attended  this  convention,  the  provi- 
sions of  which  seemed  to  serve  as  a  model.   With- 
in short  periods  after  it  went  into  operation,  Den- 
mark, Prussia,  the  Netherlands,  Hanover,  Sweden, 
and  the  Ilanseatic  cities  of  llamhurg,  Lubec  and 
Bremen,   formed   treaties  with    Britain,  adopting 
wholly,  or  in  part,  its  regulations.     In  some  of  the 
instances,  I  have  reason  to  know,  that  it  w  as  spe- 
cially consulted  as  the  guide.     France  too,  always 
slow  to  enter  into  compacts  of  this  nature  with 
Britain,  at   last  consented  to  a  similar  arrange- 
ment.    Such  appears  to  have  been  the  influence  of 
its  example.     The  United  States  have  long  desired 
to  place  their  intercourse  with  the  colonics  of  Bri- 
tain, on  the  basis  which  this  convention  estabhsjies, 
with  her  dominions  in  Europe ;  but,  as  yet,  ineffec- 
tually. 

V.  The  fifth  article  related  to  the  slaves.  I 
stated,  in  the  last  chapter,  the  nature  of  this  ques- 
tion. All  attem|)ts  to  settle  it  by  discussion  proved 
fruitless.  It  was  no  question  of  international  hnv, 
but  of  sheer  grammar.     In  the  end  we  came  to  a 


ail 


agreement,  w  Inch  this  article  embodied,  to  refer  it 
to  the  umpinigeof  a  friendly  sovereign. 

The  Emperor  Alcxanuer  was  chosen ;  and  it  may 


[1818. 

I,  the  provi- 
lodel.  With- 
>eration,  Dcn- 
o\cr,  Sweden, 
rg,  Lubcc  and 
tain,  adopting 
In  some  of  the 
liat  it  was  s\)c- 
ice  too,  always 
liis  nature  with 
sijiilar  arrangc- 
i  the  influence  of 
lave  long  desired 
colonies  of  Ihi- 
ntion  establishes, 
It,  as  yet,  incffcc- 

o  the  slaves.   I 
ture  of  this  ques- 
iliscussion  proved 
international  Iunv, 
id  we  came  to  an 
l>odied,  to  refer  ii 

jreign. 
Ucn;andiimay 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON, 


413 


be  proper  to  state  the  issue.    The  case  being  sub- 
mitted to  hiiii  in  full  form,  his  decision  was: 

That  the  United  States  ivere  entitled  to  claim 
from  Great  Britain  a  just  i?idemnificatio7i  for  all 
slaves  that  the  British  forces  had  carried  away 
from  places  and  territories  of  ivhich  the  treaty  sti- 
pulated the  restitution  ;  and  that  the  United  States 
were  entitled  to  consider  as  having  been  so  carried 
away,  all  slaves  n  'w  had  been  transported  from  the 
above  mentioned  territories  to  British  ships  ivithin 
their  waters,  and  who  for  that  reason  might  not 
have  been  restored. 

This  was  the  construction  for  which  the  United 
States  had  contended.  Tlie  emperor  caused  it  to 
be  officially  made  known,  that  he  had  devoted 
"fl//  his  attention  to  the  examination  of  the  gram- 
atical  question,*^  and  that  his  decision  was  founded 
"  on  the  signification  of  the  words  in  the  text  of 
the  article,''^ 

The  broad  principle  of  right  under  tlic  treaty  of 
Ghent,  was  thus  settled  in  our  favour;  but  nmch 
remained  to  be  done.  The  number  of  slaves  car- 
ried away,  their  value,  and  the  rightful  claimants 
in  every  case,  were  to  be  ascertained.  To  effect 
these  objects,  a  convention  was  entered  into  at  St. 
Petersburgh  between  the  United  States  and  Great 


414 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


'     I 


r*, 


"*) 


? .  -. 


i-ii 


I 


Britain,  Russia  lending  her  mediation.     By  this 
instrument,  various  i)rovisions  "were    adopted  for 
setthng,  through  commissioners  and  other  proper 
tribunals,  the  above  and  all  other  matters  necessary 
to  be  adjudged.     The  tribunals  were  organized  at 
Washington  and  proceeded  to  the   execution  of 
their  duties.     Difficulties  and  delavs  arose:  to  cet 
rid  of  all  which,  another  convention  Avas  concluded 
at  London  between  the  United  States  and  Great 
Britain,   by   wldch  the    latter  agreed  to  pay  twelve 
hundred  thousand  dollars  in  lieu  of  all  further  de- 
mands.    This  sum  was  accordingly  paid  into  the 
treasury  of  the  United  States,  thence  to  be  distri- 
buted among  the  claimants;  Great  Britain  being 
absolved  from  all  further  responsibility.     In  tiiis 
manner  the  dispute  was  linally  and  satisfactorily 
closed. 

VI.  The  sixth  and  last  article  was  merely  one 
of  form,  w  ith  the  usual  stipulations  for  the  exchange 
of  ratifications. 

Looking  at  the  convention  as  a  whole,  it  mu?t 
be  judged  by  the  nature,  rather  than  number,  of 
its  articles.  They  may  be  thus  recapitulated.  1. 
In  settling  the  controversy  tibout  the  fisheries,  tlio 
calamity  ol'  a  war  was  p'-abably  warded  ofl".  2. 
In  fixing  definitively  the  north  western  boundary 


[1818. 

n.    By  this 

adopted  for 
other  proper 
ers  necessary 

organized  at 

execution  of 

arose;  to  get 
was  concUidcd 
tcs  and  Great 

;  to  pay  ^^^^"^^ 
all  further  de- 
y  paid  into  the 
ncc  to  be  distri- 
xi  Britain  being 
ibility.    In  this 
1(1  satisfactorily 

^vas  merely  one 
for  the  exchange 

a  Avhole,  it  must 
than  number,  of 
[ecapitnVated.    b 
the  tisheries,  tho 
warded  oil'.    -• 
western  boundary' 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


415 


line,  so  long  uncertain,  the  seed  of  future  disputes 
was  extinguished  at  that  point.     3.  In  the  tempo- 
rary arrangement  of  conflicting  claims  beyond  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  something  was  gained;  for  in 
regard  to  those  interests  in  the  remote  west,  diffi- 
cult as  I  believe  they  will  prove  of  future  settlement, 
time  is,  for  the  United  States,  the  best  negotiator. 
They  are  not  unaware  how  they  bear  upon  their 
fur  trade — upon  their  fisheries  and  commerce  in 
the  Pacific — upon  their  prospective  relations  with 
new  foreign  states  in  this  hemisphere — and  upon 
their    intercourse    with   numerous    tribes   of  the 
aborigines.      4.    In  the    renewal    for    ten    years 
of  the   commercial   convention,'  limited    at  first 
to  four,  a  further  and  more  encouraging  example 
was  set  of  liberal  terms  of  navigation  between  the 
two  greatest  navigating  powers  of  the  world.     It 
may  be  hoped  that  it  will  ripen  into  permanence  as 
between  themselves,  and  continue  to  shed  its  in- 
fluence more  and  more  upon  other  states.  Already 
it  has  been  again  prolonged  for  another  term  of 
years.     5.    And,  lastly,  in  the  article  about  the 
slaves,  a  foundation  was  laid  for  the  indenniification 
ultimately  awarded  to  the  citizens  of  our  southern 
states,  for  the  heavy  losses  they  had  suffered  in 
being  despoiled  of  this  part  of  their  property. 


416 


RESIDENCE  AT  THE 


[1818. 


th 


'>»i 


^ 


•«^c    ■   J^ 


I,   j   i 


I" 


'»^*.- 


CHAPTER  XX. 

SUBJECTS  WHICH  THE  NEGOTIATION  LEFT  UNSETTLED, 
PARTICu:  ARLY  THE  WEST  INDIA  TRADE  AND  IMPRESS- 
MENT. 

Having  given  the  subjects  which  the  negotiation 
arranged,  the  task,  scarcely  secondary,  remains, 
to  state  those  that  were  not. 

I.  First  :  the  West  India  trade.  Ample  dis- 
cussions were  had  under  this  head,  and  it  will  be 
my  endeavour  to  make  them  intelligible,  within  as 
short  a  compass  as  the  nature  of  the  subject  will 
allow.  The  general  question  must  be  borne  in 
mind,  as  heretofore  explained  in  the  fourth  chapter, 
to  which  some  details  must  now  be  added ;  though 
these  will  be  pursued  no  further  than  is  indispensa- 
ble. I  am  aware  of  the  impossibility  of  presenting 
this  part  of  the  negotiation  under  any  attractive 
garb  to  the  general  reader;  but  I  have  to  deal  with 


[1818. 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


417 


FT  UNSETTLED, 
)E  AND  IMPRESS- 


the  negotiation 
dary,  remains, 


it  as  a  duty,  and  must  hope,  that,  as  a  branch,  and 
not  an  unimportant  one,  of  our  relations  with  Great 
Britain,  it  will  not  be  wholly  overlooked;  promis- 
ing also  in  its  development,  all  practicable  con- 
densation, as  well  as  exemption  from  official  tech- 
nicality. 

It  was  a  cardinal  purpose,  under  our  instructions 
that  entire  reciprocity  should  be  the  basis  of  any 
rejifulai ions  by  treaty  for  openin«r  this  trade;  and 
accordingly  we  offered  the  following  proposals  as 
essential  to  the  ground-work  of  our  plan : — That 
the  vessels  of  the  United  States  be  permitted  to  im- 
port into  the  principal  ports  of  the  British  West 
Indies,  which  we  enumerated,  and  into   British 
colonial  ports  on  the  continent  of  South  America, 
naval  stores,  live  stock,  provisions  of  ail  hinds, 
tobacco,  lumber  and  other  productions  of  the   Uni- 
ted States,  the  importation  of  ivhich  urns  allowed 
from  other  places.  And  also  that  they  be  permitted 
to  bring  back  cargoes   f  sugar,  coffee,  tnolasses, 
rum,  salt,  and  other  productions  of  the  foregoing 
ports  or  islands,  the  exportation  of  ivhich  tvas  al- 
lowed to  other  places.    The  vessels  of  Great  Britain 
to  he  confined  to  the  sa?ne  articles  of  trade,  so  that 
tky  might  have  no  advantage  over  those  of  the 
United  States;  the  tonnage  duties  on  the  vessels  of 
53 


% 


418 


HESIDKNCE     AT    THK 


[1818.     t 


»f-4 


I; 


r  ,. 
i 


I 


'II 


r 


cac/i  nation  to  he  the  same  ;  and  each  to  be  allowed 
to  touch  during  the  voyage,  at  one  or  more  ports 
of  the  other  J  to  dispose  of  inivard  or  ship  outivard 
cargoes.     Duties  of  import  and  export  to  be  the 
same  on  all  cargoes,  whether  carried  in  American 
or  British  vessels,  and  neither  party  to  charge  high- 
er duties  upon  the  productions  of  the  other,  than 
were  charged  on  similar  productions  in  their  trade 
with  other  places.      Jicgarding  the  colonies  of  Bri' 
tain  on  the  A^orth  American  continent,  tve proposed, 
that  both  American  and  British  vessels  be  alloived 
to  import  into  them,  from   the  United  States,  the 
same  productions  as  allowed  above,  and  btnng  back 
any  productions  of  those  colonies,  admitted  into 
the  United  States  from  other  places;  tonnage  du- 
ties upon  the  vessels  of  each  nation,  to  be  eijual  here 
also  ;  and  the  duties  on  all  cargoes  to  be  the  same, 
whether  carried  in  the  vessels  of  the  one  nation  or 
the  other. 

The  British  plenipotentiaries  on  receiving  these 
proposals,  declared  them  to  he  inadinissihle.  Tliey 
amounted,  they  said,  to  a  much  greater  departure 
from  the  colonial  system  of  Britain,  than  she  was 
prepared  to  sanction.  They  alleged  the  impossi- 
bility of  breaking  down  the  system,  favoured  as  it 
still  was  by  public  opinion,  and  leagued  in  witli 


[1818. 

0  he  allowed 
•  more  ports 
ihip  outward 
)rt  to  he  the 
in  American 

1  charge  high- 
e  other,  than 
in  their  trade 
olonies  of  Bri- 
I,  we  proposed, 
sels  he  allowed 
Ited  States,  the 
and  bring  back 

admitted  into 

>s ;  tonnage  du- 

to  be  eijual  here 

to  he  the  same, 

e  one  nation  or 

receiving  these 

missible.    Tliey 

rcater  departure 

lin,  than  she  >vas 

)ge(i  the  impossi- 

;m,  iiivoured  as  U 

leagued  in  ^i^^ 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


419 


various   interests,   national  and  individual.    The 
trade  of  their  North  American  colonies  in  salted 
fish  and  lumber,  the  export  trade  in  beef,  pork,  and 
flour,  from  Ireland,  the  British  shipping  interest, 
and  the  interest  of  non-resident  West  India  plan- 
ters,  were   among   those  to  which  they  referred. 
They  were  willing   to   admit   reciprocity  in   the 
trade,  {tonnage,  it  will  be  borne  in  mind,  is  not  inclu- 
ded under  this  term)   between  the  United  States 
and  West  Indies,  to  a  certain  extent ;  but  our  plan 
opened  it  too  far.     They  were  willing  to  open,  for 
example,  all  the  ports  we  had  enumerated,  (Bermu- 
da being  of  the  number)  except  St.  Christophers, 
St.  Lucia,  Demerara,  Essequibo,  and  Berbice;  the 
exception  of  the  three  last,  growing  out  of  their 
engagements  with  Holland.     But  if  they  admitted 
a  specified  number  of  articles  in  the  direct  trade 
with  the  Islands,  they  thought  that  v  e  ought  to 
consent  to  a  larger  list  in  the  trade  with  Halifax 
and  St.  Johns  on  the  North  American  continent; 
and  also  with  Bermuda ;  we  ought  not  to  ask  that 
the  trade  be  confined  to  the  same  articles  with  all 
their  possessions,  insular  and  continental.     They 
claimed  also  a  right  for  their  vessels  coming  from 
Great  Britain,  to  touch  at  any  port  of  the  United 
States  and  take  cargoes  for  the  West  Indies ;  alleg- 


* 


420 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


; )  ■ 


Wm 


} 


fe      -,. 

t 

t.     .   ; 

*» 

.                ■■t    ^ 

'4     I 


i'    i 


1      ' 


ing  that  without   this   right,  the  proximity  of  the 
United  States  to  the  Islands  would  give  our  ves- 
sels an  undue  advantage,  and  they  were  willing  to 
agree  to  a  provision  that  our  vessels  should  have 
the  same  right ;  a  provision,  however,  the  recipro- 
city of  which  would  have  been  only  nominal.    In 
the  end  they  remarked,  that  one  of  our  proposals 
went   the   length,   in  effect,  of  restraining  Great 
Britain  from  laying  higher  duties  upon  articles  im- 
ported into  her  Islands  from  the  United  States,  than 
on   similar   articles   coming   from   her  own  pos- 
sessions in   North  America ;  to  which  they  very 
pointedly  objected,   urging   the   natural  right  of 
Great  Britain  to  resort  to  duties  of  this  kind  for 
the  purpose  of  favouring  the  productions,  agricul- 
tural or  otherwise,   of  any  part  of  her  own  do- 
minions. 

We  did  not  pretend  to  deny  this  last  principle; 
but  remarked,  that  truth,  in  abstract  propositions, 
did  not  always  bear  enforcement  internationally. 
We  contended  that  the  application  of  this  principle 
to  the  trade  in  question,  would  prove  altogether  un- 
just to  the  United  States.  Britain  made  a  distinction, 
which  of  course  she  had  the  right  to  do,  in  her 
commercial  intercourse  between  her  home  domin- 
ions and  colonies.    She  even  drew  a  distinction  in 


If 


» 


[1818. 

amity  of  the 
rive  our  ves- 
ere  willing  to 
8  should  have 
r,  the  recipro-' 
T  nominal.    In 
f  our  proposals 
training  Great 
)on  articles  im- 
ited  States,  than 

her  own  pos- 
A^hich  they  very 
latural  right  of 
of  this  kind  for 
uctions,  agricul. 

of  her  own  do- 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


421 


the  regulations  of  trade  between  her  North  Ameri- 
can colonies,  and  her  West  India   Islands.     The 
United  States  were  therefore,  in  a  commercial  view, 
obliged  to  consider  each  of  these  portions  of  her 
empire,   as   so  many  distinct  countries.     To  the 
United  States,  they  were  distinct,  as  well  by  geo- 
graphical situation,  and  nature  of  their  productions, 
as  by  this  policy  of  the  parent  country.     Nor  w  as 
this   mere   theory.     In   the   business  of  trade,  it 
worked  tangible  results.     The  United  States  made 
an  offer  to  lay  no  higher  duties  on  productions 
imported  into  their  ports  from  British  Islands,  than 
on  similar  productions  from  other  foreign  coun- 
tries.    Britain  met  this  by  apparent,  but  owing  to 
the   division  of   her   dependencies   into   separate 
countries  for  commercial  purposes,  certainly  not  by 
real  reciprocity;  she  offered  to  lay  no  higher  duties 
on  productions  imported  from  the  United  States  into 
her  Islands,  than  were  char£red   on   similar  ones 
from  other  foreign   countries.     Now,   this    offer 
would  be  reciprocal  in  words  only,  unless  it  went 
farther ;  it  ought  to  add,  than  upon  similar  pro- 
ductions from  any  other  place^   according   to   our 
proposals.     The  reason  was  obvious ;  the  British 
Islands  were  supplied  with  similar  productions  from 
no  other  foreign  country  than   the    United  States^ 


422 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


'        I 


r       ., 


i 


I 
I 


'  .1: 


The  only  similar  ones  in  amount  deserving  to  be 
mentioned,  would    go   from    the    North   Ameri- 
can colonies  of  Britain  herself.     The  only  compe- 
tition in  the  supply  would  therefore  be,  between 
these  latter  colonics  and  the  United  States ;  where- 
as, there  would  be  a  real  foreign  competition  on 
the  productions  imported   into  the  United  States 
from  the  British  Islands ;  similar  ones  being  con- 
stantly imported,  and  in  large  amount,  from  the 
Islands    or    colonics    of   other    foreign    powers. 
Hence   the   clause   would   be  operative  for   Great 
Britain,  and  only  nominal  for  the  United  States. 
It  was  plain  that  the  former  could  turn  it  to  her 
own  account ;   her  vessels   might  come    to    the 
United  States  from  her  Islands,  with  the  produc- 
tions of  the   Islands;   whilst  the  vessels   of  the 
United  States  would  find  little  encouragement  in 
going   to  the  Islands  with  the  productions  of  the 
United  States,  because  British  productions  of  the 
same  kind  would  get  there  in  British  vessels  from 
Halifax,  St.  Johns,  or  other  British   possessions, 
under  duties  sufficiently  low  to  vanquish  American 
competition.     Such  was  our  answer  to  this  objec- 
tion.    At  first  sight,   the  objection  wore  a  fair 
appearance.    It  seemed  unreasonable  to  say  that 
Britain  must  not  be  left  at  liberty  to  foster,  by 


[1818. 

rving  to  be 
3rth  Aweri- 
only  compe- 

bc,  between 
tates ;  where- 
jmpetition  on 
United  States 
^es  being  con- 
ount,  from  the 
»reign    powers. 
atlve  for  Great 

United  States. 

id  turn  it  to  kr 

t  come    to   tk 

with  tbe  produc- 

5  vessels  of  the 

encouragement  in 
yoductions  of  the 

Lductions  of  the 

.tisb  vessels  frow 

^tisb  possessions, 

,nquisb  American 

.er  to  this  ohjec- 

Ition  wore  a  faiv 
.nable  to  say  that 
erty  to  foster,  by 


1818.] 


COURT  OP  LONDON. 


423 


high  duties,  as  she  saw  fit,  the  productions  of  any 
part  of  her  own  dominions.     But  unless  the  United 
States  took  this  ground,  they  could  secure  no  sub- 
stantial reciprocity  to  their  own  vessels  in  carrying 
on  the  trade  to  be  arranged  j  and  this,  plainly,  be- 
cause Britain  stamps  upon  her  colonics,  as  regards 
the  interests  of  navigation  and  trade,  the  double 
character  described — one  making  them   separate 
communities — the  other  part  and  parcel  of  the  same 
empire  with  the  mother  country — as  it  may  serve 
to  benefit  the  latter,  or  bear  hard  on  foreign  na- 
tions ;  particularly,  from  the  cau^ses  stated,  on  the 
United  States. 

We  alleged  also,  the  inexpediency  of  consenting 
to  a  limited  number  of  articles  as  the  objects  of  a 
direct  trade  between  our  ports  and  the  Islands,  and 
allowing  an  indefinite  or   even  larger  list  to  go 
circuitously.     The   effect  of  this    would   in   like 
manner  be,  what  the  United  States  aimed  at  pre- 
venting— a  disproportionate  employment  of  British 
tonnage.     The  articles  not  allowed  to  go  to  the 
Islands  directly,  would  be  sent  through  Halifax, 
St.  Johns  or  Bermuda.     To  these  ports,  it  is  true, 
they  might  go  in  American  vessels ;  but  arrived 
there,  they  would  be  transferred  to  British  vessels, 
and  carried  to  the  Islands  exclusively  in  the  latter. 


424 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


•  ( 

••4 


f*^l 


\y 


»,    ' 


[\- 


y 


f 


[1818. 


It  was  a  main  point  with  the  United  States  to 
guard  their  own  shipping  from  this  source  of 
danger. 

It  was  so  that  we  reasoned.    Nevertheless,  it 
was  our  duty  to  pay  a  just  regard  to  the  consider- 
ations which  Great  Britain  had   presented;   and 
we  expressed  a  desire  to  hsten  to  any  specific  pro- 
posals she  would  make.     We  asked  for  a  scale  of 
duties  that  would  exhibit  the  maximum  of  those  in- 
tended for  the  protection  of  the  agricultural  or 
other  produce  of  her  own  dominions ;  but  no  such 
document  was  prepared  for  our  consideration.    In 
further  reply  to  this  British  doctrine  about  duties, 
we  natt'vally  remarked,  that  if  enforced  against 
the  United  States,  the  latter  ought  undoubtedly  to 
retain  the  option  of  laying  higher  duties  on  the  pro- 
ductions of  the  British  Islands,  than  on  those  of 
countries  where  the  productions  of  the  United  States 
were,  or  might  be,  received  on  better  terms  than  in 
the  British  Islands.     We  also  declared  that  \ve 
could  agree  to  no  proposals  for  regulating  the  inter- 
course with  Nova  Scotia  and  New  Brunswick,  un- 
connected with  the  Islands. 

After  these  and  other  particulars  had  been  fully 
canvassed,  it  became  evident  that  the  parties  were 
too  wide  asunder  to  give  hope  of  meeting  on  ground 


[1818. 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


425 


ted  States  to 
lis   source  of 

evertheless,  it 
0  the  consider- 
)resented;  and 
ny  specific  pro- 
;d  for  a  scale  of 
lum  of  those  in- 
acrricultural  or 
3ns ;  but  no  such 
msideration.    In 
ine  about  duties, 
,  enforced  against 
It  undoubtedly  to 
duties  on  ibe  pro- 
than  on  those  of 
f  the  United  States 

ctter  terms  than  in 

declared  that  n 

.gulating  the  inter- 

cw  Brunswick,  un- 


Is 


,vrs  bad  been  fully 
ivt  the  parties  >vere  I 

meeting  on  ground 


that  would  satisfy  both.     The  British  plenipotenti- 
aries candidly  expressed  themselves  to  this  efiect : 
but,  as    wc  invited    proposals,  they    gave   them. 
Their  proposals  adhered  to  the  principle  of  protect- 
ing the  productions  of  their  North  America  colonies, 
by  levying  higher  duties,  on  similar  productions  from 
the  United  States.     They  also  claimed  the  right  for 
British  vessels  sailing  from  the  European  dominions 
of  Britain,  to  touch  at  ports  of  the  United  States  for 
the  purpose  of  taking  in  cargoes  for  the  West  Indies. 
In  other  respects,  as  these  nominnUij^  they  admitted 
the  principle  of  reciprocity,  as  far  as  the  trade  was 
to  be  open.     But  they  restricted  it  in  a  way  to  be 
little  acceptable  to  the  Ignited  States.   Neither  sugar 
nor  coffee,  were  allowed  to  be  among  the  direct  ex- 
ports of  the  Ignited  States  from  the  Islands,  although 
we  would  have  consentt^l  to  a  limited  amount  of 
each;  nor  were  salted  provisions  of  any  kind,  in- 
iliuling  fish ;  nor  lumber,  gen(n'ally,   for  under  the 
liisthcad  there  were  slight  exceptions,  to  be  allowed 
among  the   imports   into   the    Islands,    from   the 
United  States.     Yet  it  was  |)r')pose(l  that  not  only 
sugar  and  colVee,  Ind  all  arthlcs  of  the  produce  or 
munnfui'turc  of  (unj  of  the  British  dominions^  and 
i'ven  East  India  articles,  should  be  admitted  into 
54 


426 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


•».. 


f '• 


I  f 


the  United  States  through  the  circuitous  channels 
of  Bermuda,  Hahfax  and  St.  Johns.  It  was  also 
asked,  that,  in  the  whole  trade,  Britain,  by  all  the 
regulations  of  the  United  States,  should  stand  upon 
as  good  a  footing  in  their  ports,  as  any  other 
foreign  nation.  Such  were  the  main  features  of 
their  proposals. 

Britain  would  agree  to  no  arrangement  of  the 
intercourse  by  land,  or  inland  navigation,  with  her 
American  continental  possessions  bordering  on 
the  United  States  different  from  the  one  rejected 
with  the  four  articles  submitted  by  Lord  Castle- 
reagh.  Nor  would  she  let  us  take  our  produce 
down  the  St.  Lawrence  as  far  as  Montreal,  or  dc' ,: 
the  Chambly  as  far  as  the  St.  Lawrence. 

On  referring  her  proposals  to  our  government, 
with  all  the  views  elicited  from  her  plenipotentia- 
ries, they  were  unequivocally  rejected.  In  pro- 
gress of  time,  renewed  negotiations  were  held 
between  the  two  governments,  some  whilst  I  re- 
mained at  the  British  court,  some  afterward."'. 
Each,  government  gave  up  some  of  the  ground 
taken  in  this  negotiation;  but  no  arrangement, /^y 
treaty^  has  ever  yet  been  made  upon  the  subject. 
The  trade  stands  upon  regulations  adopted  by  the 
statutes  of  each  nation,  which  each  is  .it  liberty  to 


[1818. 

)us  channels 
It  was  also 
in,  by  all  the 
Id  stand  upon 
as  any  other 
Ln  features  of 

icrement  of  the 
ation,  with  her 
bordering  on 
[le  one  rejected 
y  Lord  Castle- 
ke  our  produce 
mtreal,  or  do'vr. 

rence. 

)ur  government, 
r  plcnipotcntia- 
iiected.    In  pro- 
ions   were  held 
omc  whilst  1  re- 
^onic   afterwards, 
c  of  the  ground 
)  iirrangeu\eut,/'5 
upon  the  suhject. 
ns  adopted  by  tlie 
eh  is  nl  liberty  to 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


42: 


modify  or  recall.  Until  opened  by  these  regula- 
tions, the  prohibitory  laws  of  the  Union  would  not 
allow  supplies  from  the  British  Islands  to  come 
directly  to  the  United  States,  or  to  go  directly 
from  the  United  States  to  the  Islands,  m  the  vessels 
of  either  power.  The  reason  was,  that  as  Britain 
would  not  allow  them  to  come  and  go  in  this  man- 
ner, on  terms  that  the  United  States  deemed  of 
equal  advantage  to  their  vessels,  they  preferred 
that  the  direct  intercourse  should  cease  altogether. 
It  is  obvious,  that  the  dispute  was  about  tonnage^ 
rather  than  the  productions  or  merchandize  of 
either  party.  These  were  still  permitted  to  be  con- 
sumed in  the  territories  of  each ;  but  it  was  neces- 
sary to  import  tlicm  in  round-about  ways. 

On  a  Spanish  ambassador  once  representing  to 
Cromwell  that  the  Inquisition  and  colonial  trade, 
were  his  master's  two  eyes,  Cromwell  replied, 
'^  Then  I  must  trouble  your  master  to  put  out  his 
two  eyes.''''  We  cannot  address  England  in  such 
language,  although  T^ngland  did  Spain;  but  we  may 
at  least  remark,  that  as  far  as  sht  enforces  her 
colonial  system  in  her  intercourse  with  other  na- 
tions, the  latter  will,  so  far,  lose  the  benefit  of  equal 
competition.  The  Unitxul  States  cannot,  it  is  true, 
complain  that  she  violates  any  of  their  rights  in 


428 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


i 


r^4 


» ■ 


I    .   ■; 


I  ! 


-K,. 


allowing  the  vessels  of  her  own  subjects  in  her 
North  American  colonies,  to  trade  with  her  Islands 
on  better  terms,  than  the  vessels  of  the  United 
States;  but,  to  whatever  extent  she  does  so,  it  is 
manifest  that,  to  the  same  extent,  American  ton- 
nage must  labour  under  intrinsic  disadvantajTe?, 
and  the  British  be  likely  to  shoot  ahead  of  it ;  which 
is  the  basis  of  the  competition  at  present. 

II.  I  come,  secondly,  to  Iaipressment.  Faithliil 
as  were  our  labours  on  this  subject,  disappointment 
was  their  portion.  A  recapitulation  of  the  causes, 
has  high  claims  to  the  attention  of  both  nations,  and 
I  would  even  hope  to  that  of  readers  of  all  classes 
in  both. 

Ic  may  be  remembered,  that  I  delivered  to  Lord 
Castlereagh  two  propositions,  which,  taken  to- 
gether, embodied  an  offer  by  the  United  States  to 
exclude,  by  all  the  means  in  their  power,  British 
seamen,  native  born  a  4  well  as  naturalized,  from 
their  service.  As  an  equivalent,  tlu^y  deniiuuled 
that  impressment  from  their  vessels  should  be 
totally  relinquished.  The  stipulation  for  e.xchidini: 
seamen,  was  to  be  reciprocal.  The  United  States 
agreeing  not  to  employ  Jlritish  seamen,  it  wns  m 
more  than  just  that  Britain  should  agree  not  to 
employ  American  seamen.     The  cwclusion  wns  to 


^    I 


[1818. 

bjects  in  her 
Lh  her  Islands 
)f  the  United 
3  does  so,  it  is 
(American  ton- 
disadvantages, 
ad  of  it ;  >vhic\i 
•esent. 

viENT.     Vaithrul 
disappointment 

11  of  the  cause?, 
)0th  nations,  and 

ers  of  all  classes 

iclivcred  to  Lord 
Inch,   taken  to- 
United  States  to 
l^^ir  power,  Briti^li 
naturalized,  from 
they  demanded 
lossels   should  be 
Ition  for  excluding! 
lie  Ignited  States 
seamen,  it  ^vas  no 
)uld  airree  not  to 
(^NclnsioM  >va^  ^^ 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


429 


extend  to  the  public  and  private  marine  of  both 
nations. 

It  cannot  escape  remark,  that  the  United  States, 
by  such  an  offer,  overlooked  the  estimate  of  pecu- 
niary advantage  to  their  merchants,  for  the  pros- 
pect of  durable  harmony  with  Great  Britain.  Wa- 
ges were  higher  in  their  merchant  service,  than  in 
the  British.  To  exclude  British  seamen  from  it, 
would  have  been  likely  to  raise  them  still  higher. 
On  the  other  hand,  the  stipulation  of  Britain  not  to 
impress  our  seamen,  would  have  been  remote  in 
its  practical  operation.  It  was  necessarily  contin- 
gent upon  the  event  of  a  maritime  war  with  other 
powers,  as  she  does  not  impress  men  from  Ameri- 
can vessels  in  time  of  pccice.  Hence,  the  onerous 
part  of  the  engagement  would  have  been  to  us  im- 
mediate ;  the  benefit  distant. 

Our  offer  to  exclude  all  natural  born  British  sub- 
jects from  our  service,  it  will  also  be  remembered, 
was  at  first  rejected;  but  it  was  afterwards  agreed 
tliat  it  should  be  considered.  Two  conditions  were 
annexed  to  it  by  Lord  Castlereagh.  One,  that  any 
treaty  containing  the  nuitual  stipulations,  should  be 
revocable  on  short  notice  by  eitluu*  party.  This 
would  serve,  he  thought,  to  trancpiilize  those  per- 
sons in  England  who  >Noukl  otherwise  be  disposed 


430 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


f 


J^V 


1 1 

-  n 


-^k 


}  I 


to  think  the  arrangement  derogatory  to  the  rights 
of  England ;  whilst  the  treaty,  as  he  hoped,  would 
be  gradually  sliding  into  permanence.  The  other 
condition  w^as,  that  the  British  boarding  officer 
entering  American  vessels  at  sea  for  purposes 
agreed  by  both  nations  to  be  lawful  in  time  of  war, 
and  finding  British  seamen,  or  men  suspected  to 
be  such,  should  be  allowed  to  make  a  proces  verbal 
of  the  fact,  to  be  presented  to  the  notice  of  the 
American  government ;  but  the  officer  to  be  pro- 
hibited taking  away  the  men. 

This  latter  condition  seemed  to  imply  distrust 
of  America.  It  breathed  suspicion,  that  the  regu- 
lations for  excluding  British  seamen  w  ould  not  be 
fully  executed.  If  objectionable  on  this  ground,  it 
was  more  so  on  others.  It  did  not  ask  in  terms. 
that  the  boarding  officer  calling  for  a  list  of  the 
crew,  should  have  the  power  of  mustering  them; 
but  the  mere  view  of  the  paper  would  be  useless 
without  that  power.  The  men  must  have  been 
inspected  for  the  purpose  of  comparison  with  the 
hst.  Such  inspections  had  been  found  among  the 
most  insupportable  aggravations  of  imprcssnieiit, 
Their  tendency,  in  every  instance,  was  to  prodiicr 
altercation  betw  cen  the  forciiin  officer  and  the  mas- 
ter  of  the  American  vessel.     If  the  officer  made  a  { 


[1818. 

to  the  rights 
hoped,  would 
e.    The  other 
)arding  officer 
L  for  purposes 
inthne  of  war, 
en  suspected  to 
;  a  proces  verbal 
le  notice  of  the 
officer  to  he  pro- 

to  imply  distrust 
)n,  that  the  regu- 
nen  would  not  be 
on  this  ground,  it 

not  ask  in  terms. 
1.  for  a  list  of  tk 
''mustering  them; 

^v-ould  he  useless 
must  have  been ' 
[mpavison  with  tk 

>n  found  among  the 

U  of  impressment. 

ICC,  was  to  pvo^"^' 
officer  and  the  mas- 

the  officer  made  a 


1818.] 


COURT   OF    LONDON. 


431 


record  of  his  suspicions,  the  master,  and  seaman, 
must  have  the  privilege  of  making  a  counter  re- 
cord. Where  then  would  be  the  end,  or  what  the 
(Tood,  of  these  tribunals  of  the  deck  ?  We  did  not 
desire  the  first  condition,  but  were  willing  for  the 
sake  of  settling  the  question,  to  come  into  it. 
To  the  second,  we  declared  our  utte^*  repug- 
nance and  unequivocal  dissent.  It  will  be  further 
remeni^^rc^  that  Lord  C  ^.^rtaujli  Avithdrew 
the  second ;  which  brings  me  to  the  footing 
on  which  the  subject  was  taken  up  in  the  nego- 
tiation. 

Repeated  advances  having  been  made  by  the 
United  States,  the  understanding  was,  that  Britain 
should  now  bring  the  subject  forward  in  a  shape 
matured  for  discussion.  The  leading  principles 
seemed  to  have  been  settled.  It  remained,  as  we 
thought,  only  to  settle  details.  At  the  third  con- 
ference, the  British  plenipotentiaries  submitted  a 
projet  of  six  articles,  designed  for  the  regulation 
by  a  separate  treaty,  of  the  whole  subject.  I  have 
abstained  almost  wholly  from  presenting  at  large 
Ithe  documents  of  the  negotiation,  supposing  that  I 
could  cause  their  essential  matter  to  be  suffi- 
ciently understood  by  description.  But  the  gra- 
vity and  interest  of  this  question,  renders  it  proper 


432 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


fs. 


"■Mi 


•>    I 


■I      i> 


•(i 


to  set  forth  the  British  projet  in  its  precise  terms; 
a  course  the  more  proper,  as  I  inserted  in  the 
same  way  the  American  propositions.  It  here 
follows : 

"  His  Majesty,  the  king  of  the  United  Kingdom 
of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  and  the  President  of 
the  United  States  of  America,  being  animated  with 
an  equal  desire  to  remove  by  amicable  regulations 
the  inconveniences   which   have   arisen  from  tlie 
difficulty  of  discriminating   between  the   subjects 
and  citizens  of  the  two  powers  respectively,  have 
determined  to   proceed,  without  prejudice  to  tlie 
rights  of  either  power,  to  frame  such  conventional 
arrangements    as   may   obviate   the    evils  which 
might  hereafter  a<Tain  result  from  the  circumstances 
above  stated,  to  the  public  service,  the  commerce, 
or  the  subjects  or  citizens  of  cither  of  the  high  con- 
tracting parties.     In  pursuance  of  so  desirable  an 
object,  his  said  Majesty  and  the  President  of  tlie 
United  States  have  nominated  plenipotentiaries  to 
discuss  and  sign  a  treaty  to  this  effect.    His  Ma- 
jesty, the  king  of  the  United  Kingdom  of  Great 
Britain   and   Ireland,   has   nominated    the   Ri^^lit 
Honourable  Frederick  John  Robinson,  and  Henry 
Goulburn,  Esquire,  and  the  President  of  the  United 
States  has  nominated  Albert  Gallatin  and  Richard 


[1818. 


1818.] 


COURT   OP   LONDON. 


433 


precise  terms ; 
inserted  in  the 
dons.    It  here 

Jnited  Kingdom 

the  President  of 

(T  animated  ^vith 

:able  regulations 

arisen  from  the 

sen  the   subjects 

•espectively,  have 

prejudice  to  the 

such  conventional 

the    evils  which 

the  circumstances 

ce,  the  commerce, 

er  of  the  high  con- 

of  so  desirable  an 

President  of  the 

Aenipotentiarics  to 

^seflect.  Hi=*^^^' 
[vuigdom  of  Great 
inated    the  Ki^^'^ 

.binson,  and  HcnO 
ident  of  the  United 

Lllatiii  and  Ricb^^^^ 


Rush,  Esquires,  who,  having  exchanged  their  full 
powers,  found  in  good  and  true  form,  have  agreed 
upon  the  following  articles : 

1.  "  The  high  contracting  parties  engage  and 
bind  themselves  to  adopt  without  delay,  and  in  the 
manner  that  may  best  correspond  with  their  respec- 
tive laws,  such  measures  as  may  be  most  effectual 
for  excluding  the  natural  born  subjects  and  citizens 
of  either  party  from  serving  in  the  public  or 
private  marine  of  the  other:  Provided  always, 
that  nothing  contained  in  this  article  shall  be 
understood  to  apply  to  such  natural  born  subjects 
or  citizens  of  either  power  as  may  have  been  na- 
turalized by  their  respective  laws,  previous  to  the 
signature  of  the  present  treaty.  And  such  mea- 
sures, when  adopted,  shall  be  immediately  commu- 
nicated to  each  party  respectively. 

2.  "  For  the  better  ascertaining  the  number  of 
persons  on  either  side  that  may  fall  within  the 
exception  contained  in  the  preceding  article,  the 
high  contracting  parties  engage  to  deliver,  each  to 
the  other,  within  twelve  months  from  the  ratifica- 
tion of  .he  present  treaty,  a  hst  of  all  persons  fall- 
ing within  the  said  exception,  specifying  the  places 
of  their  birth,  with  the  date  of  their  becoming 
naturalized.  And  it  is  further  agreed,  that  none 
55 


If: 


434 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


^"'n 
* 


U  i^i 


f*^-- 


^  :.  I 


■>  '■. ) 


Other  than  the  persons  whose  names  shall  be  inclu- 
ded in  the  lists,  shall  be  deemed  to  fall  within  the 
said  exception. 

3.  "The  high  contracting  parties  however  reserve 
to  themselves  the  power  to  authorize  and  permit 
by  proclamation,  their  respective  subjects  or  citi- 
zens, to  serve  in  the  pubic  or  private  marine  of  the 
other  country.  And  it  is  hereby  expressly  under- 
stood, that,  as  long  as  such  permission  shall  remain 
in  force,  it  shall  be  competent  for  the  government 
of  the  other  power,  notwithstanding  the  engage- 
ment set  forth  in  the  first  article  of  this  treaty,  to 
admit  the  performance  of  the  said  service.  Proiv- 
ded  always,  That  whenever  the  power  so  granting 
permission  to  the  said  subjects  or  citizens  to  serve 
in  the  marine  of  the  other,  shall  withdraw  the 
same,  notification  thereof  shall  forthwith  be  made 
to  the  other  contracting  party,  and,  on  receipt  of 
such  notification,  the  power  receiving  the  same 
shall,  forthwith,  notify  it  in  the  most  public  and 
official  manner,  and  shall  use  its  utmost  endeavours 
to  restrain  the  said  subjects  or  citizens  of  the  other 
party  from  further  serving  in  its  public  or  private 
marine,  and  shall  enforce  the  exclusion  of  such  of 
the  said  subjects  or  citizens  of  the  other  power  as 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


435 


may  then  be  in  its  service,  as  if  no  such  permission 
had  been  promulgated. 

4.  "In  consideration  of  the  stipulations  con- 
tained in  the  preceding  articles,  it  is  agreed  by  the 
high  contracting  parties  that,  during  the  contin- 
uance of  the  present  treaty,  neither  power  shall 
impress  or  forcibly  withdraw,  or  cause  to  be  im- 
pressed or  forcibly  withdrawn,  any  person  or  per- 
sons from  the  vessels  of  the  other  power  when 
met  upon  the  high  seas,  on  any  plea  or  pretext 
whatsoever.  Provided  always^  That  nothing  con- 
tained in  this  article  shall  be  construed  to  apply  to 
the  vessels  of  either  power  which  may  be  within 
the  ports,  or  within  the  maritime  jurisdiction  of  the 
other,  and  also  provided,  that  nothing  herein  con- 
tained shall  be  construed  to  impair  or  affect  the 
established  right  of  search  as  authorized  in  time  of 
vmr  by  the  law  of  nations. 

5.  "The  high  contracting  parties  have  agreed 
to  extend  the  duration  of  the  present  treaty  to  ten 
years,  and  they  reserve  to  themselves  to  concert, 
as  to  its  renewal,  at  such  convenient  period,  previ- 
ous to  its  expiration,  as  may  insure  to  their  re- 
spective subjects  and  citizens,  the  uninterrupted 
benefit  which  they  expect  from  its  provisions: 
Provided  always,  that  either  power  may,  if  it  deem 


436 


RESIDENCE   AT    TPB 


[1818. 


i      # 


r*;. 


^'. 


> 


•-*«-.'* 


it  expedient,  upon  giving  six  months  previous  notice 
to  the  other,  wholly  abrogate  and  annul  the  present 
treaty. 

'  6.  "It  is  agreed  that  nothing  contained  in  the 
preceding  articles  shall  be  understood  to  affect  the 
rights  and  principles  on  which  the  high  contracting 
parties  have  heretofore  acted,  in  respect  to  any 
of  the  matters  to  which  these  stipulations  refer, 
except  so  far  as  the  same  shall  have  been  modified, 
restrained,  or  suspended  by  the  said  articles. 
And,  whenever  the  present  treaty  shall  cease  to 
be  in  operation,  either  by  the  expiration  of  the 
term  for  which  it  is  enacted,  without  any  renewal 
of  the  same,  or  by  the  abrogation  thereof  by  either 
of  the  high  contracting  parties,  as  hereinbefore 
provided,  or,  (which  God  forbid)  by  any  war  be- 
tween them,  each  of  the  said  high  contracting  par- 
ties shall  stand,  with  respect  to  the  other,  as  to  its 
said  rights  and  principles,  as  if  no  such  treaty  had 
ever  been  made." 

In  submitting  these  articles,  the  British  pleni- 
potentiaries expressed  upon  the  protocol  their 
conviction,  that,  under  all  the  difficulties  that  sur- 
rounded the  question,  they  would  be  sufficient  to 
satisfy  us  of  the  earnest  disposition  of  Great  Britain 
to  go  every  practicable  length  in  a  joint  effort  for 


[1818. 


1818.] 


COURT  OP  LONDON. 


437 


•evious  notice 
j\  the  present 

tained  in  the 
i  to  affect  the 
rh  contracting 
espect  to  any 
mlations  refer, 
been  modified, 
said   articles, 
shall  cease  to 
(piration  of  the 
)ut  any  renewal 
hereof  by  either 
as  hereinbefore 
by  any  war  he- 
contracting  par- 
|e  other,  as  to  its 
such  treaty  had 


their  removal,  so  as  to  connect  the  two  countries  in 
the  firmest  ties  of  harmony.  It  was  with  this 
solemnity  that  the  subject  was  presented  to  our  con- 
sideration. 

It   received  from  us  a  deliberate   and  anxious 
attention.     We  brought  to  the  task  an  unaffected 
desire  to  smooth  down  every  obstacle.     It  was  not 
to  be  supposed  that  a  subject  that  had  divided  the 
two  nations  for  five  and  twenty  years,  and  been 
the  principal  cause  of  a  war,  could  be  definitively 
arranged  by  the  first  projet  of  a  treat}   drawn  up 
by  one  of  the  parties.     But  we  hailed  the  entire 
plan  as  the  harbinger  of  adjustment,  believii  •   that 
we  saw  in  its  spirit  and  outline,  the  sure  hope  of 
success.     Taking  an  interval  for  rdv:;<ement  we 
said,  that  the   proposals  heretofore  made  by  the 
United  States  could  leave  no  doubt  of  their  con- 
stant desire  to  settle  this  question,  and  declared 
our  readiness  to  agree,  with  some  amendment?, 
to  the  plan  submitted.     We  added  our  full  expec- 
tation that,  founded  as  it  was  in  mutual  confidence, 
it  could  not  fail  to  have  d  trappy  effect  towards 
rendering  durable  the  relations  of  amity  so  happily 
subsisting    between    the   two   countries.     These 
sentiments  we,  too,  recorded  with  like  solemnity,  on 
the  protocol. 


438 


RESIDENCE   AT  THE 


[1818. 


fv, 


t  ... 


f*^--- :  i, 


I 


!■  I 


Several  of  our  amendments  were  only  verbal. 
We  did  not  think  that  the  recital  in  the  preamble 
met   the   whole  case   on   both  sides,  and  offered 
alterations,   some  of  which  were  approved.    To 
the  clause  under  which  there  might  have  been  a 
claim  to  continue  impressment  in  the  narrow  seas, 
we  objected,  and  it  was,  in  effect,  withdrawn.  Nor 
did  we  like  the  particular  mode,  or  place,  in  which 
Britain  reserved  the  right  of  search  at  the  close  of 
the  fourth  article.     We  suggested,  in  lieu  of  it, 
that  the  words  should  go  to  a  different  article,  and 
provide  that  neither  party  should  be  affected  bv 
the  treaty  "  in  any  of  their  belligerent   or  neutral 
rights  as  acknowledged  by  the  laiv  of  nations,  except 
so  far  as  modified,  restricted,  or  susjwnded  by  tk 
treaty, "^^     It  becomes  unnecessary  however  to  dwell 
on  these  and  other  points  ns  to  which  the  parties 
did  not  agree  at  first,  since  they  might  have  agreed 
ultimately,  had  it  not  been  for  two  that  proved 
fatal  to  the  plan.     To  the  explanation  of  these  I 
therefore  confine  myself. 

The  second  article,  with  a  view  to  ascertain  the 
persons  who  were  to  be  excepted  from  those  in- 
tended to  be  excluded  frcwn  the;  sea  service  of 
eiilier  nation,  provides,  that  each  shall  furnish  the 
other  with  a  list  of  their  names.     This  list  was  to 


[1818. 

e  only  verbal, 
n  the  preamble 
es,  and  offered 
approved.    To 
rht  have  been  a 
he  narrow  seas, 
.vithdrawn.  Nor 
•  place,  in  which 
h  at  the  close  of 
;d,  in  lieu  of  it, 
crent  article,  and 
d  be  affected  by 
(Tcrent   or  neutral 
of  nations,  except 
suspended  h\j  tk 
however  to  dwell 
which  the  parties 
might  have  agreed 
two  that  proved 
mation  of  these  1 

;w  to  ascertain  the 
ted  from  those  in- 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


439 


k;    sea  service 


of 


../i  shall  fi'rnish  tk 
This  list  was  to 


specify  the  place  of  their  birth,  and  dates  of  their 
naturalization;  and  iwuc  but  persons  whose  names 
were  upon  it,  were  to  full  ivithln  the  exception.  To 
this  provision  we  were  obliged  to  object,  our  laws 
not  enabling  us  to  meet  all  that  it  required.  As  a 
substitute  we  proposed  that  "  no  natui'al  horn  sub- 
ject or  citizen  of  either  power,  ivhcse  neimc  shoidd  not 
he  included  in  the  list,  shou/d  he  deemed  to  fall  within 
the   exception,  unless   hi:   produced  proof    of   his 

HAVING    BEEN    DULY    NATURALIZED    PRIOR    TO  THE  EX- 
CHANGE OF  RATIFICATIONS  OF  THE  TREATY." 

Reasons  must  be  given  why  the  United  States 
could  not  comply  with  the    British  article  as  it 
stood.     Anterior  to  1780,  aliens  were  naturalized 
according  to  the  laws  of  the  several  states  compos- 
ing the    Union,     lender   this    system,    the    forms 
varied  and  were  often  very  loose.     The  latter  was 
especially  the  case  when  they  were  drawn  up  by 
justices   of  the    peace,   as    sonu'times   happened. 
Since  that  epoch,  the  forms  have  been  unifurm, 
and  are  only  permitted  before  such  courts  of  re- 
cord as  are  (lesijrnat<'(l  by  the  laws  of  tlu^  United 
States.      Ihit    the  designation   includes  not   only 
courts  of  the  United  States,  properly  so  called,  but 
courts  of  the  several  states.     Minor  children  also 
of  naturalized  persons,   if  the  former  Uv  within 


440 


RESIDENCE   AT  THE 


[1818. 


f^. 


the  limits  of  the  Union,  beconne,  ipso  facto,  natural- 
ized.    It  must  be  added,  that,  for  several  years  no 
discrimination  as  to  the  birth  place  of  aliens  was 
recorded.     If  attempts  were  made  to  procure  the 
list  required,  a  first  objection  might  have  been  that 
the  courts  of  the  several  states  were  not  bound  to 
obey,  in  this  respect,  a  call  from  the  general  govern- 
ment.   But  granting  that  all  obeyed,  the  lists  would 
have  exhibited  nothing  more  than  the  names  of 
British  natural  born  subjects,  naturalized  during  a 
period  of  nearly  thirty  years.     They  would  not 
designate  seamen,  the  law  not  having  required  ,i 
record  of  the  occupation ;  nor  would  they  embrace 
minor  children,  their  names  never  having  been  di- 
rected to  be  registered.     There  was  but  one  other 
source  from  >\hich  lists  could  have  been  derived. 
and  here  only  partially.     By  a  law  of  17{)(),  collec- 
tors of  customs  were  required  to  keep  books  in 
which  the  names  of  seanien,  citizens  of  the  United 
States,  were,  on  their  own  aifpticaflon,  to  bo  entered. 
Under  this  law,  as  may  be  inferred  from  its  terms. 
the  entry  of  names  was  not  full;  nor  did  the  law 
draw  a  distinction   between   native   citizens  ami 
citizens  by  naturalization. 

From  tliis  summary  it  is  manifest,  that  a  com- 
pliance with  the  British  article  would  have  been 


[1818. 

;o  facto,  natural- 
several  years  no 
•e  of  aliens  was 
e  to  procure  the 
it  have  been  that 
ere  not  bound  to 
e  general  govern- 
ed, tbe  lists  would 
an  the  names  of 
turalized  during  a 

Tbcy  woukl  not 
having  required  a 
ould  tbey  embrace 
er  having  been  di- 
was  but  one  other 
mvc  been  derived. 

w  of  n^H),  collec 
to  k(H>i)  books  in 

zens  of  tbo  Vnited 

r,/;o/*,  to  be  entered. 

■rtMl  from  its  terms 
|,11;  nor  did  the  b^v 
native   citizens  and 

Lnifest,  that  a  com- 
L  would  have  been 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


441 


impracticable.  The  unavoidable  consequence  of 
consenting  to  it  would  have  b(>on,  that  aliens  na- 
turalized before  the  treaty,  and  entitled  by  our  laws 
to  all  the  rights  of  citizens,  would,  by  an  ex  post 
facto,  and  therefore  unconntitutional  measure,  have 
found  themselves  excluded  from  following  the  seas 
as  an  occupation. 

All  these  obstacles  we  presented  to  the  British 
plenipotentinri(^s ;  and  they   were  })lainly  such  as 
we  could  not  remove,  whatever  our  desire.     But 
we  urged,  that   the  condition   required,  appeared 
unnecessary.    By  the  substitute  we  proposed,  every 
native  born  subji'ct  of  Britiiin  rliiiming  the  right  of 
serving  in  our  vessels,  and  not  being  able  to  show 
his  name  iipon  the  lists,  would  have  to  adduce  other 
proof  of  liis  naturalization,     'i'liis  other  proof  must 
have  been,  either  the  original  certificate  of  naturali- 
zation, or  an  authentic  copy.     It  could  have  been 
on  no  better  proof,  that   any  names  would  have 
been  retiuMied  in  the  lists.     If  minors  claimed  the 
benefit  of  the   exception,  legal    proof  nuist  have 
been  given  of  their   identity;  to  which  nuist  have 
l>oen  suhjoined,  proof  of  the  naturalization  of  their 
lathers.    We  uroed  also  the  rii>ht  reserved  to  either 
party  of  annulling  the  treaty  at  will,  as  adbrding 
a  sufficient  security.     It  was  a  reservation,  not  of 

5(i 


442 


RESIDENCE  A  "  THE 


[1818. 


% .  ^  * 


I 


fia, 


our  choice,  but  acquiesced  in,  to  avoid  objection, 
and  supersede  the  necessity  of  details  too  com- 
pHcated.  It  gave  Britain  a  remedy  in  her  own 
hands  against  deviations  from  tlie  true  spirit  of 
the  compact,  wlien(W(T  she  believed  any  were  com- 
mitted. 

But  we  could  not  prevail  upon  the  British  pleni- 
potentiaries to  recede  from  their  ground.  Tlipy 
appeared  to  have  taken  up  an  impression  which  we 
■were  unable  to  expel,  that  great  numbers  of  their 
seamen  intended  bv  the  treatv  to  be  excluded, 
would,  but  for  the  condition  annexed,  find  their  May 
into  our  service. 

An  error  insensibly  prevniling  in  Britain,  pooms 
to  lie  at  the  root  of  the  whole  evil.  It  consists  in 
supposing  that  the  Tnited  St;ites  cnnnot  ohtaiii 
seamen  of  their  oivn^  but  must  depend  upon  Britain 
for  tliem.  \Vhv,  anv  more  than  on  Britons  to  till 
their  farms,  ^»r  build  their  houses,  seems  straiiL'f' 
I  will  give  an  instanc(5  of  this  error.  WIk-ii  tin 
Franklin  anchored  off  Cowes,  visitcM's  canic  nn 
board  in  great  mimbers.  The  ship's  decks  were 
of  course  filled  with  her  seamen;  who,  to  he  siiiv. 
looked  like  I-'nglish  si^imen,  and  spoke  the  Iln^di^li 
language.  Soon  the  rumour  went  that  manv  Averel 
English.     All  rumours  grow;   and  so  this.    InM 


[1818. 

void  objection, 
3tails  too  com- 
edy in  lier  own 
c  true  spirit  of 
[\  any  were  com- 

Lhe  British  ploni- 
•  (Troiind.  They 
>rcssion  which  ue 
numbers  of  their 
to  be  cxchidetl 
;xcd,  find  then- viiy 

in  Britain,  Bcoms 
vil.  It  consif^ts  m 
t(.f^  cannot  ohtiiln 

pend  upon  Britain 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


443 


(' 


tn  on  Britons  to  ti.i 
L,  seems  striiuiie' 
[  orror.     NVIhmi  tli." 
visit(M's   camo  on 
sbipV  decks  Nvero 
In;  xvho,  to  be  sure. 
,a  spoke  the  IW'-^' 
c.nt  that  many  ^^^■f^ 
and  so  this.    I" ' 


fortnifrht,  I  read  in  the  London  prints,  that  full 
one  third  of  the  whole   were    native    born   British 
subjects !    The  new  s  passed  from  journal  to  jour- 
nal, fixing  itself,  no  doubt,  as  a  positive  f;ict  in  the 
belief  of  many  an   honest  iMiulisbman,  who  -would 
have  been   readv  on    its    authority  to  utter  indijr- 
nant   complaints    aiiaiiist  America,  for  thus  draw- 
ing away  bis  majc^sty's  seamen!    Tin*  commentary 
upon  the  supposed  fact   is,  tlnit  Connnodore  Stew- 
art informed  me,  that  out  of  bis  crew,  of  upwards 
of  seven  hundred  men,  twcnti^-five\so\\\*\  include  all 
of  foreign  birth.     Of  these,  /<r///' were  from  parts  of 
Europe,  other  than  Hritain.     I  would  not  fall  into 
the  indecorum  of  supposing,  that  errors  so  gross  as 
this  could  ever  be  committcMl  by  persons  having 
better  opportuniti(^s,  above  all,  oflicial  opportunities, 
of  information ;  but  it  points  to  tlu^  popular  mis- 
conception.    1  fully  heliexf,  and  this  nijt  as  an  un- 
ixaniined  opinion,    that   the   proportion  of  native 
American  seamen  on  board  American  ships  of  war, 
j  will  always  be  found  greater  than  of  native  Bri* 
tish   seamen    on    board    British    sliips    of   war. 
The  relative  size  of  the    two  navies  considered, 
it  is  indeed,  demonstrable^   that  the  Tnited  States 
arc  better  able  to  man  theirs  with  native  Amcri- 
pn,  than  the   British  theirs   with  native  British, 


444 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


<rv* 


t 

t 


••*?■. 


I 


ii  I 


The  other  part  of  the  projet  that  produced 
fatal  diversity,  was  in  the  first  article.  It  ran  thus : 
"  Provided  always^  that  nothing  contained  in  this  ar- 
tide  sh(dl  be  understood  to  opply  to  such  natural  born 
subjects  or  citizens  of  cither  power,  as  may  have 
been  naturalized  by  their  respective  laws  previous  to 
the  SIGNATURE  ()f  the  present  treaty,''''     In  place  of 

SIGNATURE,    WC    pi'OpOSCd    "EXCHANGE   OF   RATIFICA- 
TIONS."    To    the   former   we  could    not   consent. 
It  would  have  brought  with  it  the   same  conse- 
quence— that  of  violating  our  Constitution.    The 
obligations  of  a  treaty  are  not  complete,  until  ex- 
chanfje  of  ratifications.     To  exclude  from  our  ser- 
vice,  subjects  naturalized  prior  to  that  date,  would 
have  involved  the  objection  of  ex  post  facto;  but 
the   British   plenipotentiaries  would  not  agree  to 
drop  their  word.     Here  too  was  manifested  what, 
to  us,  seemed   needless  apprehension.     As  by  the 
laws  of  the  United  States  a  residence  of  five  years 
is  one  of  the  pre-rcquisites  to  naturalization,  the 
number  of  British    seamen  who  could  have  come 
in  between  the  two  dates,   must  have   been  ex- 
tremely small;  not  worth  consideration, as  wc  sup- 
posed, in  a  national  point  of  view.     But  we  could 
not  succeed  in  r  making   the   British   plenipotenti- 
/iries   think  so.     The  subject  was  debated  until 


[1818. 

that  produced 
e.  It  ran  thus: 
n'mcd  in  this  ar- 
iich  natural  horn 
r,  as  may  have 
laws  previom  to 
(» "     In  place  of 

vjGE   OF   RATIFICA- 

ild   not   consent, 
[he   same  conse- 
onstitution.    The 
ompletc,  until  ex- 
ludc  from  our  ser- 
p  that  date,  >vouM 
ex  post  facto;  but 
)uld  not  agree  to 
i  manifested  what, 
nsion.     As  by  the 
Icnce  of  five  years 
naturalization,  the 
o  could  have  come 
ist  have   been  ex- 
L'ratic)n,aswesiip- 
;w.     But  >vc  could 
ritish  plenipotcnti- 1 
was  debated  until  I 


1818.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


445 


the  closing  hours  of  the  negotiation,  and  then  fell 
to  the  ground.  It  put  the  seal  to  the  failure  of 
our  eftbrts.  We  had  offered  all  that  was  possible 
under  our  Constitution  and  laws.  We  could  go  no 
farther. 

I  pause,  for  a  moment,  on  this  authentic  narra- 
tive.    I  look  back,  with  unfeigned  regret,  on  the 
failure  it  records.     Perhaps  I  may  be  wrong,  for  I 
speak  from  no  authority;  but  I  am  not  able   to 
divest  myself  of  an   ir  )ression,   that,  had   Lord 
Castlereagh  been  in  London,  there  would  not  have 
been  a  failure.     I  am  aware  that  he  was  kept  in- 
formed of  the  progress  of  the  negotiation  ;  we  had 
reason  to  believe  that  the  documents  were  regu- 
larly sent  to  Aix  la  Chapcllc    tor   his  inspection ; 
still,  he  could  not  share  in  the  full  spirit  of  all  that 
passed.     He  had  the  whole  European  relations  of 
Britain  at  that  time  in  his  hands,  with  those  of  the 
continent  also  to  discuss.     Impressment,  although 
in  truth  a  primary  concern,  could  not,  at  such  a 
season,  have  commanded  all  his   thoughts.     But  I 
know  how  anxiously  he  entered  into  it,  before  his 
departure.     lie   saw  that  the  great  principle   of 
adjustment,  had  at  last  been   settled ;  and  I  can 
scarcely  tlunk  that  he  would  have  allowed  it  to  be 
foiled,  by  carrying  too  much  rigour  into  details. 


446 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


•     .  ft 
J 


■••^s^ 


I        i 


It  is  no  part  of  my  present  purpose  to  draw  the 
full  character  of  Lord  Castlcrcagh  in  his  connexion 
with  England,  or  Europe;  but  there  was   this  in 
him,  which  his  opponents  did  not  deny,  and  history 
will  award — an   entire,  I   add,  a   noble   fearless- 
ness.    He  knew  that  a  treaty  relinquishing  impress- 
ment, no    matter   what  the  terms,  would   exc/te 
clamour   in   England,  come   when  it  would;  but 
having  made  up  his  mind  to  the  justice  and  policy 
of  such  a  treaty,  he  woulu  iiave  faced  the  clamour. 
I  believe  that  he  set  a  high  value  upon  a  good  un- 
derstanding with  the  United  States ;  and  that  he 
was  sincerely  anxious,  not  in  words  only,  but  by 
deeds,  to  promote  it.     I  never  saw  any  little  jeal- 
ousy in  him  of  their  rising  power  and  greatness, 
although  awake  to  both ;  for  he  saw  in   Britain 
enough  of  both,  to  place  him  above  little  jealousies; 
and  if  I  have  not  assumed  too  much  in  my  conjec- 
tures as  to  his  feelings  on  this  subject  of  impress- 
ment, who  will  say  that  his  wisdom  and  patriotism 
would  not  have  been  signally  manifested  ?  Seamen, 
as  a  race,  arc  short-lived.     The  constant  hardships 
to  which  they  are  exposed,  soon  wear  down  those 
whom   the  tempest   and   battle    spare;    and  had 
the  arrangement  been  perfected,  the  lapse   of  a 
few  years  would  have  swept  away  the  whole  stock 


[1818. 

3  to  draw  the 
his  connexion 
was   this  in 
y,  and  history 
oble   fearlcss- 
shing  impress- 
would   excite 
it  would;  hut 
tice  and  poUcy 
ed  the  clamour, 
pon  a  good  un- 
s;  and  that  he 
rds  only,  but  by 
^  any  httle  jeal- 
and  greatness, 
saw  in   Britain 
little  jealousies; 
•h  in  my  conjec- 
)ject  of  imprcss- 
and  patriotism 
fested?  Seamen, 
instant  hardships 
car  down  those 
Ispare;    and  had 
the  lapse   of  a 
the  whole  stock 


1818.] 


COURT    OP    LONDON. 


447 


n 


of  naturalized  British  seamen  in  the  United  States; 
whilst  the  treaty  abolishing  impressment  from  Ame- 
rican ships,  would  have  remained  a  durable  monu- 
ment of  the  statesmanship  of  the  British  minis- 
ter under  whose  auspices  it  would  have  been 
concluded. 

This  subject  falling  through,  others  of  a  mari- 
time nature  were  withdrawn.  It  had  been  agreed 
that  none  were  to  be  proceeded  with,  if  we  failed 
on  impressment.  We  had  offered  articles  on 
blockade;  contraband;  trading  with  the  colonies 
of  a  belHgerent;  for  the  regulation  of  proceedings 
in  prize  cases,  and  the  conduct  of  privateers  and 
letters  of  marque.  Britain  had  joined  in  offers  on 
most  of  them — omitting  however  the  third.  Their 
discussion  was  carried  on  to  some  extent,  but 
given  over  when  discovered  that  we  could  not  ar- 
range the  point  on  w^hich  all  depended. 

A  few  words  more.  The  failure  to  accommo- 
date this  formidable  source  of  strife  between  the 
two  nations,  is  only  postponed,  not  defeated.  If 
removed  in  no  other  way,  it  will  cease,  ultimately, 
through  the  cessation  of  the  practice  as  a  home 
nficasure  in  England.  It  cannot  endure  much 
longer;  it  is  impossible.  Englishmen  will  get  their 
minds  open  to  its  true  nature.    It  is  the  remark  of 


448 


RESIDENCE    AT  TIIE 


[1818. 


I 


f^- 


I  ♦ 


a  sagacions  historian  of  their  own,  that  nations 
long  after  their  ideas  begin  to  enlarge  and  their 
manners  to  refine,  adhere  to  systems  of  superstition 
founded  on  the  crude  conceptions  of  early  years. 
It  is  the  same  with  public  abuses.     The  English 
part,  reluctantly,  with  those  sanctioned  by  time; 
but  at  length,  public  scrutiny  and  the  moral  sense 
of  the  nation,  fasten  upon  them ;  as  in  the  case,  for 
example,  of  the  slave  trade.     Reason  emerges,  as 
from  a  cloud;  the  abuses  fall,  and  loud  reprobation 
succeeds  to  the  long  tolerance  that  kept  them  up. 
Indications  are  not  wantinir  of  this  coming  change 
as  to  impressment.     I  could  re  Per  to  some,  derived 
from   private   intercourse  of  a  liigh  kind ;  but  for 
this,  I  should  have  no  warrant,  and  will  take  other 
and  public  demonstrations.     Perhaps  no  associa- 
tion of  men  in  that  kinordom  are  more  likclv  to 
form  sound  opinions  on  this  subject,  than  the  ship 
owners  of  London.     This  body,  at  a  meeting  in 
September  1818,  and  what  Briton  will  not  be  remind- 
ed of  the  fact  with  pleasure,  dcUhcratcbj  condcrnd 
the  practice.     The  report  of  their  committee,  dwells 
upon  it  as  every  way  inexpedient,  (apart  from  other 
objections,)  and  suggests  measures  yb/-  its  total  do- 
lition. 

There  is  something,  if  pf)ssible,  more  strong. 


[1818. 

,  that  nations 

ircre  and  their 

of  superstition 

3f  early  years. 

The  English 

ionedby  time; 

the  moral  sense 

i  in  the  case,  for 

son  emerges,  as 

loud  reprobation 

^t  kept  them  up. 

s  coming  change 

to  some,  derived 

ah  kind;  but  for 

id  will  take  other 

iiaps  no  associa- 

rc  more  likely  to 

;ct,  than  tiie  ship 

I,  at  a  meeting  in 

[will  not  be  remind- 

\hemtcJil  co7}dcrnd 
committee,  dwells 
(apart  from  other 
■c^  for  its  total  aho- 

lible,  more  strong. 


1818.] 


COURT   OF   LONDON. 


449 


Sir  Murray  Maxwell,  a  distinguished  officer  in  the 
British   navy,  when  a  candidate  to  represent  the 
great  commercial  interests  of  Westminster  in  the 
House  of  Commons  as  mentioned  on  a  preceding 
page,  made  an   appeal  upon  the  same  subject,  too 
remarkable  to  be  forgotten.     Addressing  himself 
to  assembled  thousands  round  the  hustings,  he  said, 
that  if  his  opponent  could  show  that  he  had  been 
"for  fifteen  years  engagi  '  in  promoting  a  political 
scheme  of  such  national  importance  as  the  one  that 
he  (Sir  Murray)  had  been  labouring  at,  he  would 
withdraw  from  the  contest ;  he  meant,  the  efforts  he 
had  made,  in  concert  with  many  of  his  brother  officers, 
to  do  aicay  the  practice  of  impressment.''''     Need  I 
go  further?  If  the  conviction  of    he  impolicy  and 
enormity  of  this  practice — this  stain  upon  British 
humanity  and  justice — this  merciless  violation  of 
the  dearest  of  human  rights — has  found  its  way 
into  the  circle  of  ship  owners,  and  naval  officers, 
is  it  conceivable  that  the  conviction  will  stop  there? 
No,  it  will  spread,  until  echoed  by  the  voice  of  all 
Britain — until  the  horrors  of  the  press-gang,  and 
the  horrors  of  the  slave  ship,  will  be  spoken  of  in  the 
same  way.     British  moralists  will  deplore  it ;  Brit- 
ish orators  denounce  it ;    British  legislators  ex- 
tirpate it;   and  British  historians,  in  recording  its 
57 


450 


RCSIDENCU    AT    THE 


[1818. 


i      t.:.,^ 


i.^ 


long  existence  as  a  remnant  of  barbarism  and 
tyranny,  utter  scntimeir.?  of  sober  joy  at  its 
downfall. 

Finally,  I  superacid  my  testimony  to  that  of 
every  other  American,  that  the  United  States  can- 
not again  permit  the  exercise,  by  any  foreign 
power,  of  impressment  on  board  their  vessels  at  sea. 
After  the  facts  set  forth  in  the  twelfth  chapter  of 
this  work,  they  would  be  untrue  to  themselves,  and 
the  race  they  spring  from,  if  they  did.  The  great 
Chatham,  if  alive,  would  counsel  us  not  to  sub- 
mit to  it;  and  if  enforced  against  us,  would  burst 
forth  anew  with  the  exclamation,  "Were  I  an 
American,  as  I  am  an  Englishman,  I  would  never 
lay  down  my  arms ;  never,  never,  never !" 

I  have  gone  through  the  topics  of  this  negotia- 
tion. I  have  given,  succinctly,  but  I  trust  accu- 
rately, those  comprised  in  the  convention ;  I  have 
set  forth,  I  hope  intelligibly,  and  enough  at  larae. 
the  causes  of  disappointment  as  to  others.  May 
the  day  soon  arrive  when  the  adjustment  of  at 
least  that  of  impressment,  may  cement  by  yet 
closer  ties  two  nations  that  ought  to  feci  and 
act  like  friends,  instead  of  pouring  out  their  blood 
in  battle. 


1818.] 


COURT   OF   LONDON. 


451 


CHAPTER    XXL 


THE  ENGLISH  IN  THE  AUTUMN.    INAUGURATION  OP 
THE  LORD  MAYOR.   DEATH  OF  THE  QUEEN. 

Whilst  the  negotiation  was  going  on,  its  busi- 
ness  absorbed   attention.     Of  other   occurrences 
during  its  pendency,  I  have  therefore  httle  to  say. 
We  dined  with  some  of  the  cabinet  ministers  and 
diplomatic  corps.     On  one  occasion,  a  portion  of 
the  ambassadors  of  the  great  powers  and  several 
of  the   ministers  plenipotentiary,  gratified  me  by 
dining  at  my  house,  to  meet  Mr.  Gallatin.     Some 
of  them  had  taken  a  lively  interest  in  the  progress 
of  our  negotiation  j  nor  did  I  scruple  to  impart 
to  them,  in  fit  ways,  and  to  the  proper  extent,  its 
events.    Seldom  have  the  United  States  occasion 
for  concealment  in  any  of  their  public  policy  or 
acts ;  and  no  where  is  the  maxim  more  applicable 
than  in  diplomatic  circles,  that,  to  get  confidence, 
it  must  be  given. 


452 


RESIDENCF,    AT    THR 


[1818. 


'  I ' 


A  French  philof^oplicr  has  said,  that  every  day 
of  his  \i^{i  forinod  a  page  of  his  works.  I  cannot 
claim  thi-J  merit,  if  mcTit  it  he.  It  was  not  my 
hahit  to  note  down,  as  a  daily  task,  the  personal 
scenes  in  which  I  was  intenningling,  but  gave  my- 
self to  the  practice  only  according  to  my  inclina- 
tions and  opportunities  ;  during  the  negotiation,  and 
for  the  remainder  of  the  year,  it  so  fell  out  that  I 
scarcely  indulged  in  it  at  all.  Soon  after  the  clo?o 
of  our  joint  lahours,  Mr,  Gallatin  returned  to  I^ari?:, 
leaving  me  to  regret  the  loss  of  a  colleague  so 
enlightened. 

In  the  Avest-cnd  of  London  during  the  autumn. 
little  is  seen  but  uninhabited  houses.  It  brinnr?  to 
mind  the  city  in  the  Ara'hian  Nights,  where  cvorv 
thing  was  dead.  The  roll  of  the  carriage,  tho 
assemblage  in  the  parks,  the  whole  panorama  ot 
life,  in  that  great  portion  of  liUglish  society  wIk  iv 
amusement  is  the  business  of  life,  stops.  I'ass 
Temple  Bar,  and  w  inter  and  spring,  sununer  and 
autumn,  every  day  of  every  season,  prescMit  thf 
same  crowds.  Nothing  thins  them,  and  their  in- 
crease would  seem  impossible ;  but  the  depopula- 
tion of  the  west-end,  is  nearly  com|)let(\  Tin' 
adjournment  of  parliament  is  the  first  sigfiul  fcr 
desertion.     pAery    where    you    see    post    chaist- 


1818.] 


COURT   OF     LONDON. 


'1 53 


and  travellintr  c;iiTiafr(»s  with  tlu;ir  light  and  live- 
ried postilhons,  issuing  from  the  squaros  and 
swooping  round  the  corners.  I'our  horses  are 
driven,  contrary  to  the  custom  with  the  town  car- 
riage, in  which  you  see  hut  two.  For  a  while  this 
movonient  is  constant.  The  <ray  emi<xrants  find 
tlioir  country  seats  all  ready  for  their  reception. 
Thiehault  tells  us,  that  the  king  of  Prussia  had 
lihraries  at  several  of  his  palaces,  containing  the 
same  })ooks,  arrangcul  in  the  same  ord(»r;  so  that 
wlum  going  from  one  to  another,  the  train  of  his 
studies  might  not  hr  hroken.  So  the  l^nglish  on 
arriving  at  their  seats,  ev(Mi  it"  they  have  several, 
which  is  often  tlu^  case,  find  every  thing  they  want ; 
unlike  the  chafeauv  in  the  provinces  of  France, 
which  iirv  said  to  he  ill-furnished  and  bare,  com- 
pared with  the  fine  hotels  of  l^iris. 

The  next  great  egress,  is  on  the  approach  of  the 
first  of  Septi'inher.  'J'h  it  <!ay  is  an  era  ii»  liUg- 
hiiul.  i'artridge  shooting  h(\gins  upon  it ;  and  all 
who  have  not  left  town  with  the  first  llight,  now 
H'(^ni  to  follow.  Ministers  of  state,  even  lord 
chancellors,  can  hardly  he  kept  from  goisig  a-lield. 
When  our  conference  of  the  twenty-ninth  of  August 
was  finished,  mv  colleajjue  and  1,  without  retk^- 
'ion,  named  the  first  of  Septemher  for  the  next 


'i:)i 


RESIDKNCE  AT    THE 


[1818. 


4i. 


meeting.  "»S/>r/re  i^s,"  said  one  of  the  British 
plenipotentiaries;  '*i7  is  the  first  day  of  partridge 
shoot  in  i^P' 

The  families  that  flock  into  the  country,  gone- 
rally  remain  until  Christmas,  the  hospitalities  con- 
nected with  which  usually  close  with  twelt'th-nitrlit. 
or   soon  afterwards.      Some    stay    much   loDfjcr. 
Cabinet  ministers   and  the  diplomatic  cor})s,  are 
among  the  few  persons  left  in  the  metropolis,  and 
these  in  diminished  number.     The  latter  are  ottiii 
of  the  invited  guests,  when  the  Englisli  thus  ex- 
change   the   hos[)italities  of  the    town  for   tliost. 
more  prolonged  and  magnificent,  at  their  coimtn 
ahodes.     Field  sports  are  added  to  the  festivities; 
hunting  of  all  kinds,  the   fox,  the  har(%  tlie  stii^; 
shoot injr,  with   I    know  not  what    else,  incliKlinr 
archery,  of  the  dnys  of  the  Phintngenets;  uliicli 
last  piistinu*,  like  the  chnse,  is  sometimes  gnicid 
by  the  competitions  of  female  ngility.     Hut  loniL'ii 
ambassadors   and  nunisters  do  not  nhvjiys  find  it 
convenient  to   profit   of  these  invitations.     Jtiiot 
every  day  engaged    in   negotiations,  one  sekbiii 
goes  by  with  those  representing  countries  in  lar^'i 
intercourse  with  England,  uiunarked  by  calls  \\\m 
then-  official  time  ;  and  like  men  of  business  even 
where,  they  must  beat  the   place  of  their  hnsiiiev 


[1818. 

,f    the    British 
ay  of  partridge 

country,  gciic- 
ospitalitios  cou- 
th tweUth-iiijiht. 
r  much  longer, 
natic  corp«,  niv 

metropolis,  mul 
J  hitter  are  olUii 
Enj^'hsh  thus  cx- 
to\vn  tor  those. 
,  at  their  eonmn 
to  the  testivitios: 

hare,   tlie  stiiji; 

else,  inchidm^ 

iitnf^euets;  ^^llilH 

)nietimes  jiracid 

ity.  iUit  Ion  mil 
lot  always  lind  ii 
ivitatioiis.     If  II"' 

ions,  one  sehtmi 

countries  in  Inrjii' 

Uctl  hy  t'!"!!^  "1"'" 
of  business  cvrrv 
.  of  their  hnsiiu  ^^ 


1818.] 


COURT  OK  LONDON. 


455 


i( 


to  do,  or  watch  it.  Bnt  if,  for  the  most  part, 
cut  off  from  these  rural  recreations,  there  is  one 
way  in  w  Inch  they  partake  of  the  results  ;  T  mean 
in  game  for  their  tables.  Amongst  the  persons  to 
whom  mine  was  inde!)te(l  throughout  the  autunm,  I 
must  not  forget  one  of  the  British  plenipotentiaries; 
and,  let  me  here  add,  that  if  not  of  tlu^  same  mind 
with  us  on  all  otticial  discussions,  they  both  made 
us  sensible,  in  all  ways,  of  their  ))ersoiuil  cour- 
tesy. 

TliC  enthusiastic  fondness  of  the  English  for  the 
country,  is  the  efh^ct  of  their  laws,  Jind  principally 
of  those  r(;lating  to  descent.     Scarcely  any  per- 
sons who  hold  a  leading  place  in  the  circles  of 
their  society,  can  b(;  said  to  live  in  London.     'I'hey 
have  linitsrs  in   fiondon,  in  which  they  stay  while 
l)arliament  sits,  ami  occasionally  vi^it  at  oth(?r  sea- 
sons; but  their  homrs  are   in   the  country;  their 
turretted  mansions  are  tln'nv  with  all  that  (ienote.s 
perpetuity — heir-looins,  fimil}  i'lojn-sriiils,  the  libra- 
ry, the  tombs.     This   spusi'ls  the  same  ambition 
among  oth(>r  classes,  np'.    lh(^  taste   lor  rural  life, 
li()W(^v(!r  diversified  orgnidnated  the  scale,  becomes 
widely  diffused.     Those;   who  live  on  their  estates 
through  successive  generations,   not   speak inu:  of 
'liosc  mcHily  who  have  titles,  but  tlious  nds  Upside, 


'ISO 


RKSIDENCE    AT    THB 


[1818. 


*»- 


r^-,. 


« 


! 

)> 
I 


acquire,  if  they  have  the  right  quahties  of  charac- 
ter, an  iiiHucncc  throughout  their  neighbourhood. 
It  is  not  an  infhience  always  enhsted  on  tlie  sidoof 
power  and  privilege;  on  the  contrary,  there  are  iiu- 
inerous  instances  in  which  it  has  been  used  for  a ijos 
in  furtherance;  of  popular  rights.  Let  me  mention  iis 
one,  and  a  signal  one,  Mr.  Coke,  of  Norfolk,  the  invu- 
riablc^  friend  of  the  United  Staters,  whose  abundant 
and  cordial  hospitalities,  it  has  been  my  lot,  inc 


0111- 


inon  with  so  many  other  Americans,  to  expe'riciicu 
at  Holkham.  It  is  this  which  lies  at  the  root  of 
the  desertion  of  the   west  end  of  the   town  \\]m\ 


pnrhauK'ut   ris(»s.      Ihe    permanent    mterests  and 
affections  of  the  leadintr  classes,  centre  almost 


uni- 


versally in  the  country,  and  these  classes  getacn.- 
sions  to  their  mnubcr  from  thos(Mvho  amass  wealth 
throu'rh  mamilacturini:  and  conunercial  industrv; 
who  ol'ten  make  il  the  end  and  aim  of  their  accu- 
mulations, to  purchase  landed  estates  and  livi 
upon  them.  Meads  of  families  go  into  flic  coiiiitr 
to  rc^sume  th«'ir  stand  in  the  midst  of  the  fcdii 
and  attachments  to  which  I  allude;  and  all  to  par- 
take of  the  pastimes  of  tin*  country  life  where  tlicv 
flourish  in  such  variety,  exhiliration,  and  pomp. 

In  other  parts  of  London,   ii    the  vast  limits  i" 
tween  Temple  Jar  and  the  Tower,  the  crowds  I 


;  [1818. 

ilities  of  charac- 
nci'Thbourliood. 
ccl  on  the  side;  of 
try,  there  are  mi- 
)eeiuiscdfor;v!ros 
,et  me  mention  as 
Norfolk,  tiie  iiwii- 
,  whorie  almndiiiit 
en  my  lot,  m  com- 
ms,  to  expericiKc 
lies  at  the  root  of 
f  the  town  uIrii 
eiit   interests  iiiid 
centre  almost  uiii- 
3  classes  ^et  acccv 
^^ho  amass  \\vM\ 
imercial   indnstrv: 
!iim  of  their  ami- 
(.stMtes    and  liv 
ro  into  the  countr 
Ivl  of  the  feolii!- 
Ir;  and  all  to  pr- 
itry  life  where  tht'v 

on,  and  i)omi>' 
the  vast  limits  1»'- 
vvrr,  the  crowds  1 


18J8.J 


COLlir    OF    LONUON. 


{j: 


\\ii\ii  said,  rontiinic  ihe  sai.ie.  J^ven  liere,  how- 
ever, the  passion  f(jr  the  eountr\  jn-eps  ont.  Kvery 
eveniiiir.  wiien  business  is  over,  the  citizens  may 
1)0  scon  i»"oinii'  to  their  cottages  that  skirt  the  wide 
environs  towards  J  lii»li<>iite,  Jlornsev,  Uaekney, 
Stratford,  (lapham,  ('and)erw('ll,  (Greenwich,  and  in 
all  directions.  I  iieard  a  physician  call  the  l*arks 
nocir  London,  the  "/////ij.s  of  London ^  These  little 
retrents,  many  of  them  hidden  anud>t  !':^lia^e, 
and  show  inn;  tlu;  neatn(\-s  that  seems  stjimj»ed  irpon 
every  thiiiii;  rural  in  iMiiiland,  in  like  manner  serve 
the  citizens  as  places  in  whicli  to  breathe,  after  the 
pent-up  airof  coidined  streets  and  countinix  rooms. 
To  the  lat 
to  plan  ( 
wealth  of 
On  the 


ter 

they  n 

>pe 

rations 

th<^ 

civ  ill zi 

ninth  <»♦'  > 

eturn  on  the  followin<^  moriiinn; 
that   alli'ct  the   markets  and 


(I    W(U 


l(L 


ovend)er,  I  dined  at  («'ui1dhall. 


It  was   the  dav  of  thr   mauu;uration   ol'  the    Lruxl 


Ma\or:  for  so  it  i-.  that    the  season  at  whicIi  tl 


le 


royai  })alaces  are  ^h\it.  and  all  the  wcst-eiul  sikiice 
;md  nloom,  is  the  very  srason  whm  ollicial  spkii- 
tlour  lii  the  city  is  hinhe>t.  Mr.  Alderman  At- 
kii!s  hiid  been  th*-  successlul  candid;ite.  There 
was  the  j^rand  pnicession  upon  the  ThauH's,  and 
ihr()u;L,di  the  streets.  1  nr'od  n<»t  ji;i\('  a  description 
of  it ;  it   ha-i  been  as  oft<^n  descrilu'd  as  St.  PauPs 


458 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


cathedral,  or  Westminster  Abbey,  and  it  docs  not 
fall  within  my  design  to  repeat  such  things.    The 
diimer  was  in  the  large  Gothic  hall.     There  sat 
down   to   it   about  nine    Innidred    persons.    The 
giants  and  knights  clad  in  steel,  the  band  ot"  music 
slowly  moving  round  the  hall,  the  aldermen  in  their 
costumes,   the  sherifls  with  their  gold  chains,  the 
judges  in  their  robes,  the  Lady  Mayoress  iu  her 
hoop,  with  long  rows  of  prosperous  looking  citizens, 
presented  a  novel  and  animating  mixture  of  modern 
manners  with    symbols  of    the   ancient   banquet. 
The  lights,  the  decorations,  the  variety  and  profu- 
sion of  food  and  wines,  gave  a   high   impression 
of  municipal  plenty  and  muniliccnce.     The  pre- 
mier, Lord  Li\(3rpool ;    Lord  Bathurst,  Lord  Sid- 
mouth,  ."ud  Mr.  Vansittart,  as  cabinet  ministers. 
were  guests;  with  many  other  ollicial  characters. 
One  ofth(^   knights  wore  the   helmet  which  the 
city  of  London  gave  to  I  fenny  the  Seventh,    h 
weight  was   fourteen  pounds.     The  other  kui^lit. 
wore  the  entire  armour  of  I  fenry  the  Fifth ;  wliicli 
was  that  of  a  small  man.     Lord  Sidmouth,  ne.irto 
whom  I  sat,  remarked,  that  all  the  armour  of  that 
day  and  earlier,  indicated  the  stature  to  be  smaller 
than  at  present ;  which  brought  to  my  mind  what 
Sir  .Tohn  Sinclair  .said,  at  ( )rmly-lodgc.     The  rca- 


I! 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


459 


sons  assigned  were,  improved  agriculture,  and  bet- 
ter personal  habits  from  the  greater  diffusion  oi' 
comforts  among  the  people  through  the  increase 

of  wealth  and  science ;  also,  the  disappearance  of 
certain  diseases,  as  leprosy  and  scurvy,  and  the 
advancement  of  medical  knowledge.  Mr.  Van- 
sittart  said,  that  the  remains  of  Uoman  armour  had 
shown  the  Romans  to  be  a  smaller  race  of  men 
than  the  moderns. 

After  the  King,  Prince  Regent,  and  members  of 
the  royal  family,  had  been  given  as  toasts,  the  lord 
mayor  proposed  my  name,  that  he  might  make  it 
the  medium  of  cordial  sentiments  towards  the  Uni- 
ted States.  These  the  company  received  >\  ith  ap- 
plause. In  returning  thanks,  I  recij)rocated  the 
friendly  national  feelings  he  had  expressed. 

Hefore  going  to  dinner,  w(;  were  in  the  council 
room.  Among  the  paintings,  was  a  very  large  one 
of  die  scene  between  Richard  the  Second  and  \V  at 
Tyler ;  another,  of  that  between  Mary  of  Scots  and 
Rizzio;  one  of  the  Seige  of  (iibraltar,  by  Coph'y  ; 
and  other  })ieces.  Ihit  1  looked  with  chief  interest 
at  the  portraits  of  the  naval  commanders.  Pausing 
at  NelsonV,  Lord  Sidmoutli  said,  that  iu  the  course 
ol'a  visit  he  had  had  Iroiu  liim  three  weeks  before 
the  buttle  of  Trafalgar,  he  described  the  plan  of  it 


i%i 


^ 


160 


RESIDENCE     AT    THE 


[1818. 


f  I 


*ii. 


of  it  with  hits  of  paper  on  a  tahlo,  as  it  was  after- 
wards foiij^ht.     AV'lien  wc  came  to  Duncan's,  he 
recited  tlic  lines  hy  Lord  Wellesly,  on  the  victory 
over  the  Dutcli,  olf  Caniperdown ;  at  Howe's  Mr. 
Vansittart  said,  that  just  heforc  his  great  hattlc 
with  the  French  fleet,  the  sailors  expressed  a  ^vi!^!l 
for  a  little  more  groor ;    Howe  replied,  "  J,rt  Vm 
wait  UiJl  {f\s  over,  and  we'll  all  frd  dnniJc  toirrthfr.'' 
At  Rodney's  some  conversation  took  place  on  flic 
manoMivre  which  he  first  practised  in  his  victory 
over  I)e  Cirasse,  of  hreaking  the  enemy's  line.    I 
asked,  whether  the  success  of  that  mode  of  attack 
did  not  essentially  d(^))end  upon  the  inferiority  ot 
your  enemy,  especially  in  <runnery  ?    It  was  admit- 
ted that  it  did,  and  that    Lord   Nelson   always  i^o 
considered  it.     The   Marlhorough,  Rodney's  Iciid- 
ing    ship,    received    the   successive   hroadsidi'S  ot 
twenty-tlu'ce  of  the  I'rench  ships  of  the  line,  at  near 
distance,  and  had   not   more  than  half  adozcn  ot 
her  men  killed.     My  motive  to  the  incpiiry  waf:.;i 
remark  1  onc(^  heard  from  Commodon?  l)ec;itnrol 
our   s(M*vice;     viz.  thai,  in   the   event  of    l]\\<iM\ 
fleets  and  those  of  th(;  T'nited  States  uKM-tin*:.  the 
former  would  prohahly  change  entirely  their  system 
of  tactics  in   {ictiou.     T  disc;overed,  in   the  sann 
conv(Tsation,  that  our  othcers  had  carefullv  tinii('<l 


1818.J 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


101 


their  cattcntion  to  the  fleet  tactics  ol'  l'in<]rland,  and 
were  masters  of  the  points  on  wliich  all  her  great 
battles  hy  sea,  for  a  century  past,  ap})eared  to  have 
turned.  Speaking  of  naval  science  in  L^ngland, 
Lord  Sidmouth  said,  that  it  had  greatly  improved 
of  late  years ;  that  Lord  Exniouth  told  him  that 
when  lie  was  a  young  man,  it  was  not  uncommon 
for  lieutenants  to  he  ignorant  of  lunar  ohserva- 
tions,  hut  that  now  no  midshijiman  was  promoted 
who  could  not  take  them,  lie  intimated  his  helief, 
that  naval  science  generally,  and  particularly  naval 
architecture,  was  destined  to  far  higher  advances 
than  it  had  yet  reached.  Talking  of  goverinnent, 
Lord  Sidmouth  remarked,  that  the  main  fault  was 
governing  loo  much;  so  masters  wer(;  apt  to  govern 
their  servants  too  much,  as  parents  their  children. 
Of  Chestertiekrs  letters,  he  said,  that  they  were 
not  in  vogue  as  models  of  education  in  th(^  classes 
for  which  they  seemed  chiefly  intended,  adding, 
tlint  truth,  courag(%  and  the  maxims  of  Christianity, 
were  the  leading  points  of  education  with  those 
classes. 

After  dinner  we  went  into  the;  hall  room,  where 
a  hull  terminated  the  festivities. 

I  should  not  soon  have  done  if  I  were  to  men- 
tion all  th(]   instances  of  which  I  chimced,  ()n  this 


'1()2 


Ki;.siin:.Nri:  ai'  iiit: 


[If 


fn. 


I 


r*^ 


..^ 


I  *• 


-K. 


occasion,  to  liofir  of  riclu  a  among  mechanics, 
tisans,  and  others,  cn^^agcd  in  the  common  \vj 
of  business  iti  this  great  city ;  but  I  will  niul^ 
few   selections.      I   heard   of  haberdashers   ^ 
cleared  thirty  thousand  pounds  sterling  a  year, 
retail  shopkeeping;    of  i)rewers,  whose  buildi 
and  fixtures  necessary  to  carry  i)\\  business,  ( 
four  hundred  and  fifty  tliousand  ])ounds;  of  sil 
.smiths  worth  half  a  million;  of  a  person  in  Ivx^ 
change  who  had  madt;  a  hundred  thousand  pou 
chiefly    by    manufacturing    razors;     of  job-lu 
keepers  who  held  a  hundred  and   forty  thous 
pounds  in  the  thre(;  pi^r  cents;  and  of  confectioi 
and  woollen  drapers  who  had  funded!  sums 
larger.  Of  flie  higher  order  of  merchants,  bank 
and  capitalists  of  that  stamp,  many  of  whom  \ 
present,  whose  rieln^s  I  heard  of,  I  am  unwi 
to  speak,  lest  1  should  seem  to  exaggerate.    1  l| 
given   speciuKMis  enough.       During   the  late 
with  France,  [  was  ujld,  that  there  had  once 
recruited  in  a  single  day   in  the  country  bet 
lVrauch(\^t(M*   and    Ihriningham  two  thousand i 
bodied  working  ni(^n,   for  the  Hritish  army, 
the  country  so  remarkable^  for  its  collieries 
mines  and  blast  furnaces.     A  j)ortion  of  it  is  si 
times  called  the  fire  coinitrj/,  from  the  Hamesl 


TIIL 


[18I.S. 


18I8.J 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


4()3 


niong  mechanics,  ar- 
in  the  common  walks 
ty;  but  I  will  niiike  a 
)f  haberdashers  wlio 
ids  sterling  a  year,  by 
.vers,  whose  biiildings 
trry  on  Inisiness,  co«t 
[ind  pounds;  ofsilvcr- 

of  a  jierson  in  Ivxctor 
udred  thousand  pounds 

razors;  of  job-horse 
od  und  forty  thousnid 
ts;  and  of  confectioners 

had  funded  sums  slill 

of  merchants,  bankers, 
>p,  many  of  whom  win" 
card  of,  I  am  unwilliui! 
1  to  exaggerate.  1  hiivf 
During   the  late  war 

lat  there  had  once  hiou 
in  the  country  between 

lam  two  thousand  al)l»' 

llie  British  army.     It  i^ 
Ic  tor  its  coHieric^s,  iron 
A  portion  of  it  is  sonu- 

,/,  from  the  Hames  tlun 


issue  in  rolHng  volumes  from  the  lofty  tops  of 
the  furnaces;  which,  seen  in  all  directions  by  the 
traveller  at  night,  preseiU  a  sight,  that,  in  contrast 
with  the  surrounding  darkness,  may  b(!  called 
awful,  making  you  imagine  some  great  calamity 
in  the  land,  announced  by  these  beacon  fires. 
In  going  over  some  parts  of  this  cxtraordiruiry 
country,  you  are  told  that  human  beings  arc  at 
work  in  the  bowels  of  tli(3  earth  below,  into  which 
they  descend  by  dec-  hafts  cut  through  its  deso- 
late surface.  A  mer»  of  the  diplomatic  corps 
on  hearing  of  the  above  enlistment  remarked,  that 
could  IJonaparte  have  known  that  fact ;  could  he 
have  seen  the  whole  region  from  which  the  men 
came,  bordering  also  as  it  does  upon  a  country  of 
the  highest  fertility  for  crops  of  grain ;  seen  the 
f!vidences  of  opulence  and  strength  in  its  public 
works,  its  manufacturing  establishments  and  towns, 
and  abundant  agriculture,  notwithstanding  the  al- 
k^gfnl  or  real  pauperism  of  some  of  iho  districts,  it 
woukl,  of  itself,  have  induced  hhn  to  give  over  the 
project  of  invading  England. 

In  like  maimer,  let  any  one  go  to  a  Lord  May- 
or's dinner,  not  simply  to  eat  and  drink,  but  to 
regard  under  other  aspects;  let  him  be  told  of 
the  enormous  sums  owned  by  those   he  will  see 


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RESIDENCE   AT   THE 


[1818 


<•-.. 


% 


fy  '  j, 


► 


•   I 


■'  i 


I 


around  liim  and  others  he  may  hear  of,  not  inherit- 
ed from  ancestors,  but  self-acquired  by  individual 
industry  in  all  ways  in  which  the  hand  and  niiiuJ 
of  man  can  be  employed,  notwithstanding  all  tlmt 
the  taxes  take  away,  and  he  will  hesitate  before  iio 
predicts  the  ruin  of  England  from  any  of  her  pre- 
sent  financial  dilhculties.     Predictions  of  this  n;i- 
ture  have  been  repeated  for  ages  without  comiiiff 
to  pr?s.     Rich  subjects  among  the  active  and  work- 
ing classes,  make  a  rich  nation.     As  the  former 
increase,  so  will  the  means  of  filling  the  coffer?  of 
the   latter.     liCt  contemporary  nations  lay  it  to 
their  account,  that  England  is  more  powerful  m\\\ 
far  more,  than  at  any  former  period,  notwithstfind- 
ing  her  debt  and  taxes.     This   knowledge   slioiik 
form  an  elemem  in  their  foreign  policy.     Let  tlion 
assure  themselves  that  instead  of  declining,  she  i« 
advancing ;    that  her  population   increases   fast 
that  she  is  constantly  seeking  new  fields  of  enter- 
prise in  distant  parts  of  the  world,  and  adding  to 
improvements,  already  costly  and  stupendous,  scat- 
tered over  the  f;«ce  of  her  island  at  home,  new  ones 
that  promise  to  go  beyond  them ;  in  fine,  tliat 
stead  of  being  worn  out,  as  is  so  often  supposed  on 
grounds  that  seem  plausible,  she  is  going  aliiad 
with  the  buoyant  spirit  and  vigorous  exertion.^  <^t 


:  [1818. 

3ar  of,  not  inhcrit- 
ired  by  individual 
he  hand  and  mind 
Lthstanding  all  tlmt 
I  hesitate  before  ho 
m  any  of  her  pre- 
ictions  of  thi^  viii- 
Tcs  without  coiiiiii" 
he  active  and  work- 
m.     As  the  former 
tilling  the  coffm-?  of 
Y  nations  lay  it  to 
more  powerful  nou. 
period,  notwithstJiud- 
knowledge   slioukl 
;u  policy.    Let  tliem 
of  declining,  she  i? 
ion   increases  ln^t; 
new  fields  of  enter- 
,vorld,  and  addin^r  to 
ind  stupendous,  ^n\' 
id  at  home,  new  ono^ 
,n ;  in  fine,  tlint  in- 
so  often  supposed  on 
she  is  going  ahead 
lvMCToro\is  exerti(Mis  <^t 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


465 


youth.  It  is  an  observation  of  Madame  de  Stael, 
how  ill  England  is  understood  on  the  continent  in 
spite  of  the  little  distance  that  separates  her  from 
it.  How  much  more  likely  that  nations  between 
whom  and  herself  an  ocean  interposes,  should  fall 
into  mistakes  on  the  true  nature  of  her  power  and 
prospects ;  should  imagine  their  foundations  to  be 
crumbling,  instead  of  steadily  striking  into  more 
depth  and  spreading  into  wider  compass.  Britain 
exists  all  over  the  world  in  her  colonies.  These 
alone  give  her  the  means  of  advancing  her  industry 
and  opulence  for  ages  to  come.  They  are  portions 
of  her  territory  more  valuable  than  if  joined  to  her 
Island.  The  sense  of  distance  is  destroyed  by  her 
command  of  ships,  and  becomes  in  itself  an  advan- 
tage, as  serving  to  feed  her  commerce  and  marine. 
Situated  on  every  continent,  lying  in  every  sea, 
these,  her  out-dominions,  make  her  the  centre  of  a 
trade  now  unparalleled  yet  perpetually  increas- 
ing ; — a  home  trade,  and,  in  efiect,  a  foreign  trade ; 
for  it  yields  the  advantages  of  both — the  whole 
being  under  her  control.  They  take  ofV  her  redun- 
dant population,  yet  make  her  more  populous; 
multiply  the  demand  for  her  manufactures,  as  the 
foreign  demand  slackens  by  other  nations  manufac- 
turing for  themselves ;  and  are  destined,  under  a 
09 


466 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


I       ' 


[1818. 


t      I 


»  * 


if' 


:i^^ 


'.  .f 


'i 


!■  I ! 


^. 


policy  already  commenced  towards  them  and  to  be 
more  extensively  pursued,  to  expand,  we  can  hardly 
say  how  far,  her  empire,  commercial  manufactur- 
ing and  maritime.  Her  oriental  possessions,  had 
she  no  others,  open  to  her,  under  a  more  unfettered 
administration  of  their  affairs,  prospects  of  indus- 
try and  riches  yet  untried,  but  of  the  greatest  pro- 
mise. It  is  a  saying  of  her  manufacturers,  that 
she  could  not  only  supply  this  globe  with  manu- 
factures but  other  planets,  if  their  markets  were 
open ;  such  figures  of  speech  seeming  scarcely  too 
strong  to  express  her  capabilities  in  this  line.  Ber- 
muda itself,  that  speck  in  the  ocean,  the  place  that 
hitherto  poets  and  tourists  have  chiefly  written 
about,  is  destined,  under  a  policy  now  meditated, 
to  become  in  another  age  a  depot  of  British  naval 
power  (in  connexion  with  the  use  of  steam)  such  as 
no  single  spot  on  this  hemisphere  has  before  wit- 
nessed. Whatever  changes  may  take  place  in  her 
institutions,  will  little  affect  these  reffections;  for, 
did  she  advance  less  in  political  or  maritime  power 
under  the  commonwealth,  than  under  her  kings? 
The  very  agitations  of  a  revolution  that  might 
shako  every  thing  to  its  centre,  would  be  more 
likely  to  evolve  new  energies  in  the  national  cha- 
racter, than  in  anywise  abate  them.     I  repeat  it— 


1818.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


467 


let  other  nations,  let  the  United  States  in  particu- 
lar, look  to  these  things,  making  them  an  element 
in  their  foreign  policy.  I  intend  no  idle  or  over- 
strained exhibition  of  British  power  and  resources, 
but  write  with  ditferent  views,  and  on  a  foundation 
of  what  I  believe  to  be  truth. 

On  the  seventeenth  of  November,  died  the  Queen. 
She  expired  at  Kew  palace,  after  a  long  illness. 
The  last  time  I  saw  her,  was  at  an  enter- 
tainment at  Carlton  House.  There,  as  at  the 
royal  marriage,  she  had  been  distinguislied  by  her 
affability.  Going  away,  gentlemen  attendants, 
and  servants  with  lights  preceded  her  sedan ;  whilst 
the  company  gave  tokens  of  respectful  deference. 
Now,  she  had  paid  the  common  debt  of  nature. 
The  event  was  communicated  to  me  in  a  note  from 
Lorc^  Bathurst ;  a  form  observed  tow  ards  all  foreign 
ambassadors  and  ministers — as  on  the  birth  or 
death  of  any  prince  or  princess  within  the  pale  of 
the  royal  family. 

The  Queen  enjoyed,  in  a  high  degree,  the  re- 
spect and  aftcction  of  a  very  large  portion  of  the 
inhabitants  of  Great  Britain.  For  more  than  half 
a  century,  her  conduct  upon  the  throne  had  been 
to  the  nation  satisfactory.  There  were  periods 
when  it  was  said,  that  she  had  interfered  bt\vond 


•f' 


468 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1818. 


I 

»: 
-*-• 


1    ' 


I  ■ 


her  sphere  in  pubhc  affairs;  but  besides  the  obsta- 
cles to  this,  under  a  constitutional  government  like 
that  of  England  however  common  the  instances  in 
arbitrary  governments,  there  nover  appears  to  have 
been  any  sufficient  evidence  of  the  fact.  Colonel 
Barre,  the  bold  and  eloquent  champion  of  the 
colonies  during  the  American  war,  eulogized,  in 
one  of  his  opposition  speeches,  her  "  unassuming 
virtues ;"  and  it  seems  agreed,  that  in  the  relations 
of  private  life,  her  conduct  was  always  exemplary. 
The  public  voice  appears  to  add,  that  the  British 
court  maintained  in  her  time,  a  character  of  uni- 
form decorum  and  chastened  grandeur. 

Her  funeral  was  on  the  second  of  December,  at 
Windsor.  The  body  had  lain  in  state  for  the 
time  usual.  The  procession  moved  from  Kew; 
where  I  went,  with  my  sons.  The  multitude  was 
so  great,  of  carriages,  persons  on  horseback,  and 
foot  passengers,  that  it  might  be  said  to  form  a 
compact  mass  from  London  to  Kew,  a  distance  of 
eight  miles.  It  continued,  as  long  as  I  looked,  to 
press  forward.  As  night  came  on,  the  road  was 
lighted  with  torches  borne  by  the  military.  These, 
gleaming  upon  the  soldier's  helmets,  and  partially 
disclosing  the  hearse,  and  long  solemn  procession 
winding  its  slow  way  with  its  trappings  of  death, 


[1818. 

des  the  obsta- 
)vernmenl  like 
[le  instances  in 
ippears  to  have 

fact.     Colonel 
lampion  of  the 
r,  eulogized,  in 
er  "unassuming 
:  in  the  relations 
vays  exemplary. 

that  the  British 
character  of  uni- 

deur. 

^  of  December,  at 
in   state  fc)r  the 
)ved  from  Kew; 
lie  multitude  was 
|n  horseback,  and 
said  to  form  a 
ew,  a  distance  of 
,g  as  I  looked,  to 
on,  the  road  was 
military.    These, 
lets,  and  partially 
jolemn  procession 
appings  of  death, 


1818.] 


COURT    OF   LONDON. 


469 


now  hidden  by  interposing  obstacles,  then  re-appear- 
ing, presented  a  spectacle  for  the  pencil  or  the 
muse.  The  interment  took  place  in  the  royal 
chapel  of  St.  George.  There,  for  centuries  had 
reposed  the  remains  of  kings  and  queens ;  and  there, 
they  had  mouldered  to  dust.  Around  the  vault, 
seen  by  dim  lights  in  the  Gothic  interior,  were 
assembled  the  Prince  Regent,  and  other  members 
of  the  royal  family,  w  ith  a  few  of  the  personages 
who  composed  the  funeral  train,  listening  to  the 
service  and  anthems  for  the  dead.  Canning  was  of 
the  number — Canning,  with  sensibilities  always 
quick  to  whatever  in  human  scenes  might  awaken 
moral  reflection,  or  lift  up  the  tone  of  the  imagina- 
tion. 

On  the  third  of  December,  the  theatres  w  ere  re- 
opened.    I  went  to  Drury  Lane.     The  house  was 
crowded,  and  every  body  in  black  for  the  Queen. 
Orders    for  a   court   mourning,    take   in   only  a 
limited  class ;  but  the  streets,  as  the  theatres,  are 
filled  with  persons  of  all  classes,  w  ho  put  it  on ; 
even   children,  in  many   instances,  wear  it;  and 
servants.     Such  is  the  usage  of  the  country.     The 
play  was  Brutus,  or  the  Fall  of  Tarquin,  a  new 
tragedy,  by  Mr.  Howard  Payne,  a  young  American. 
I  felt  anxious  for  an  author  who  was  my  country- 


i 


r 


470 


fr  ■ 


i 

1 


'^t 
t 


ilESIDENCE    AT   THE 


[1818. 


man,  and  Iiad  the  gratification  to  witness  his  com- 
plete success.  When  the  piece  was  announced  for 
repetition,  bursts  of  applause  followed,  and  the 
waving  of  handkerchiefs.  The  tragedian  Kean, 
had  displayed  his  great  powers  in  the  principal 
character. 

On  the  twenty-second  of  the  month,  accidents 
occurred  all  over  London  from  a  remarkable  fog. 
Carriages  ran  against  each  other,  and  persons  were 
knocked  down  by  them  at  the  crossings.  The 
whole  gang  of  pickpockets  seemed  to  be  let  loose. 
After  perpetrating  their  deeds,  they  eluded  detec- 
tion by  darting  into  the  fog.  It  was  of  an  opake, 
dingy  yellow.  Torches  were  used  as  guides  to 
carriages  at  mid-day,  but  gave  scarcely  any  light 
through  the  fog.  I  went  out  for  a  few  minutes ;  it 
was  dismal. 


M 


M^ 


1819.J 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


471 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

A»n.a,CANS  ABUOAB.  CASES  Or  ARBUTHNOT  AND  AM- 
BR.STER.  OPENINC  OP  PARUAMENT-ROVAL  SPEECH 
BY  COMM,SS.ON.  V,s.T  PROM  MR.  BENTHAM.  D.^^^R 
AT  MR.  WELLESIEV  Pole's.  CHESAPEAKE  AND 
SHANNON. 


January  1  Twelve  of  my  countrymen  dined 
'nth  me.  A  few  were  residents  of  London,  tl.e 
remamder,  here  on  their  travels.  Some  were  goina 
to  Ita  y ,.  others  had  been,  or  were  going,  to  France! 
and  other  parts  of  the  continent. 

It  has  been  my  habit  to  see  my  countrymen  at 
-y  tab  e,  as  often  as  in  my  p.., ..  To-day,  as 
generally  on  these  occasions,  we  i  ,dulged  in  home 
topics.    Admare  as  we  may  what  we  see  abroad 

»ho  among  us  that  has  ever  left  his  own  country,' 
tut  feels  that  his   wannest  affections  point   to 

;- a  centre  .Though  we  cannot,  in  its  infancy, 
*"n  for  ,t  all  the  monuments  of  science,  letter' 


! 

1 

p"-^ 

*■■;.'♦■ 

*            /' 

4-  '  V.,,, 

■: .  -  r 

;  t-  .; 

i  >■ 

r--    .. : 

fT: .  ■• : 

b.;-^-;: 

j^i 

1 

:/^f 


472 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1819. 


and  the  arts,  that  are  the  slow  growth  of  time,  we 
have  already,  under  each,  made  rapid  progress. 
In  some,  we  believe  that  we  have  made  improve- 
ments.    The  prospect  before  us  is  full  of  hope — 
is  boundless;    not  resting  on  idle  boast,  but  the 
realities  of  the  past.     A  noble  freedom  is  ours, 
founded  on  the  broad  basis  of  equal  rights;  a  free- 
dom fitted  for  producing  the  highest  energies  and 
refinements  of  civilization,  yet  restrained  by  con- 
stitutional limits;   guarded  also  against  some  of 
the  risks  of  that  state,  by  the  habits  of  our  people, 
who,  from  their  origin,  have  been  trained  to  its 
blessings;  and,  knowing  their  value,  will  know  for- 
ever  how  to  cling  to  them.   With  this,  as  the  ground- 
work of  national  character ;  with  political  advan- 
tages, the  result  of  geographical  situation;   and 
great  agricultural,  manufacturing  and  commercial 
capabilities,  to  what  a  career  of  power  and  fame, 
if  true  to  ourselves,  may  we  not  look  forward: 
These  are  sentiments  that  Americans,  meeting  in 
another  land,  delight  to  interchange.     The  heart 
has  no  higher  pleasures  than  those  which  the  feel- 
ings of  country  inspire.     They  are  exalted  by  ab- 
sence.    An  American  niinister  abroad,  must  tlioii , 
be  ever  in  the  experience  of  his  purest  social  enjoy- 


1819.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


473 


merits,  v^hen  he  sees  around  him  his  countrymen  as 
guests. 


January  7.  Received  a  note  from  Lord  Castle- 
reagh,  requesting  me  to  call  on  him  to-day  at  four, 
at  his  private  residence.  It  was  dated  last  night, 
and  indorsed, "  Immediate:'  He  was  confined  with 
the  gout.  I  was  shown  into  a  dressing  room  ad- 
joining his  chamber,  where  I  found  him  on  his 
couch. 

It  was  my  first  interview  with  him  since  the 
negotiation.  He  expressed  his  satisfaction  at 
what  had  been  accomplished,  with  a  regret  that 
more  had  not  been  done.  Of  impressment  he 
barely  said,  that  it  had  gone  off"  on  a  point  unex- 
pected. 

He  had  sent  for  me  on  the  cases  of  Arbuthnot  and 
Ambrister.  The  British  government,  he  remarked, 
had  received  from  Mr.  Bagot,  their  minister  in 
Washington,  a  copy  of  the  proceedings  of  the  court 
martial,  which  had  been  under  full  deliberation  at 
a  cabinet  council. 

The  opinion  formed  was,  that  the  conduct  of 
these  individuals  had  been  unjustifiable,  and  there- 
fore not  calling  for  the  special  interference  of  Great 
Britain. 

60 


474 


RESIDENCE    AT   THE 


[1819. 


» 


Hi 


^ 


II 


Whilst  announcing  this  result,  he  had  also  to 
say,  that  parts  of  the  transaction  were  viewed  as 
open  to  exception,  whether  as  regarded  some  of  the 
operations  in  Florida,  or  the  conduct  of  the  com- 
manding general  of  the  United  States,  in  ordering 
Ambrister  to  be  executed  after  the  first  sentence 
against  him  was  revoked.  He  then  read  me  a 
despatch  drawn  up  by  the  British  government,  and 
addressed  to  Mr.  Bagot,  which  embraced  the  sub- 
stance of  his  foregoing  communication  to  me, 

I  expressed  the  satisfaction  which  I  was  sure  my 
government  would  feel  at  the  main  decision, 
adding  a  regret  at  the  other  sentiments  with 
which  its  disclosure  was  accompanied. 

His  lordship  then  remarked,  that  it  was  his  de- 
sire to  hold  a  con  vers'' tion  with  me  upon  the  views 
of  the  British  government  respecting  the  Indians 
along  our  frontier;    but  that  for  the  present  he 
would  forbear,  having  reason  to  expect  a  communi- 
cation from  me.    Here  he  read  part  of  a  despatch 
from  Mr.  Bagot,  dated  the  third  of  December,  in 
which  he  informs  his  government,  that  Mr.  Adams 
had  given  him  to   understand,  that  instructions 
would  be  sent  to  me,  to  afford  full  explanations 
in  relation  to  the  case  of  these  two  British  sub- 
jects. 


1819.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


475 


I  replied,  that  I  had  actually  received  such  instruc- 
tions; but  as  they  had  only  just  got  to  hand,  I  was 
not  prepared  to  act  upon  them,  not  having  yet  read 
all  the  documents  transmitted  with  them.  I  would  be 
ready  at  the  earliest  time  he  would  appoint ;  on 
which  he  named  the  day  after  to-morrow.  I  added, 
that  although  the  decision  to  which  his  majesty's 
government  had  come,  might  be  considered  as  an- 
ticipating to  a  certain  extent  the  object  of  my 
instructions,  I  had  still  a  duty  of  much  moment  to 
perform;  for  that  I  should  ill  satisfy  the  wishes  of 
the  President,  if  I  suffered  the  record  of  the  court 
martial  to  be  taken  as  a  mere  naked  record,  unac- 
conxpanied  by  elucidations  of  a  nature  somewhat 
more  enlarged,  that  would  serve,  I  trusted,  to  place 
the  whole  transaction  in  its  right  attitude. 

January  11.  Called  again  on  Lord  Castlereagh. 
My  call  had  been  postponed  at  his  instance,  from 
Saturday  until  to-day.  I  felt  that  the  task  I  had 
to  execute  was  the  more  important  from  the  deep 
sensation  which  the  execution  of  these  individuals 
had  created  in  England.  It  was  not  enough  that 
the  act  could  be  technically  justified  by  the  strict 
laws  of  nations,  or  sheer  rights  of  war.  I  felt  that 
it  ought  to   stand  on  broader  grounds;    that  it 


re 


i  'i 


r 

6- 


'I.. 


■    I  ^ 


1 .-   ^ 


I 


476 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1819. 


ought  to  be  vindicated  to  humanity,  no  less  than 
justice. 

I  said  to  his  lordship,  that  full  justice  could  not 
be  rendered  to  the  United  States,  if  the  unhappy 
occurrence  was  looked  at  simply  by  itself.  It  was 
indispensable  to  consider  it  in  connexion  with  prin- 
ciples and  facts  which,  for  a  succession  of  years, 
had  been  interwoven  with  their  history ;  it  was 
not  my  design  I  said,  to  enter  fully  or  minutely 
into  this  field,  but  I  should  be  unable  to  represent 
in  their  true  spirit  the  views,  or  fulfil  the  expecta- 
tions, of  my  government,  if  I  did  not  go  into  it 
partially.  That  it  seemed  difficult  for  Europe  to 
understand  the  precise  relations  of  policy  and 
feeling  subsisting  between  the  United  States  and 
the  Indians,  bordering  upon,  or  living  within,  their 
territory.  In  many  respects  the  misconceptions 
were  fundamental;  these  Indians  were  savage, 
wandering  tribes,  yet  very  warlike;  their  relations 
towards  the  United  States  were  indeed  so  anoma- 
lous; there  Avas  such  an  absence  of  all  standards 
of  comparison  in  Europe,  that  the  rigiits  and  obli- 
gations of  the  United  States,  were  scarcely,  per- 
haps, of  a  nature  to  be  accurately  appreciated  but 
by  themselves.  It  seemed  a  part  of  their  system, 
more  than  any  other,  local  and  exclusive.    Tho 


1819.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


477 


original  question  of  dispossessing  the  Indians  of 
their  homes,  was  for  the  consideration  of  nations 
that  had  gone  before  us.  We  had  to  take  them 
as  we  found  them.  The  poHcy  and  intentions  of 
a  nation  could  nowhere  be  better  read  than  in  its 
acts  of  legislation,  and  habitual  conduct;  judged 
by  both,  not  only  would  it  be  found  that  the 
United  States  pursued  a  just  treatment  towards 
the  Indians,  but  anxiously  sought  in  all  ways  to 
better  their  condition.  They  purchased  lands 
from  them,  only  with  their  own  consent.  They 
formed  treaties  or  compacts  with  them,  guaranty- 
ing all  their  rights ;  their  laws  guarded  them 
against  the  inroads  of  the  whites,  prohibited  deal- 
ings with  them  by  which  they  might  be  aggrieved, 
and  in  every  practicable  way  sought  to  diffuse 
among  them  the  lights  and  comforts  of  civilization. 
But  all  these  just  aims  had  too  often  failed,  through 
causes  which  the  United  States  could  not  prevent, 
and  sincerely  deplored.  When  peace  with  the 
Indians  had  been  interrupted,  it  was  never  by  the 
wish  of  the  United  States.  In  the  border  strife 
that  preceded  open  hostility,  aggression  almost  ne- 
cessarily came  from  the  Indian.  He  lived  in  the 
forest;  his  attack  upon  the  whites,  was  under 
cover  of  night,  or  from  his  ambush  by  day ;  whole 


\r 


I" 


4 


478 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1819. 


families  were  thus  surprised  and  cut  off  by  him, 
whilst  pursuit  could   hardly  ever  reach  him,  until 
the  tardy  force  of  government  was  called  out.    In 
this  manner  had  our  frontier  inhabitants  been  slain 
throughout   successive   generations.     But,  left  to 
himself,  the  Indian  was  not  always  a  dangerous 
neighbour.     If,  when  roused,  he  took  revenge,  he 
was  not  destitute  of  peaceful  virtues ;  and  he  was, 
moreover,  essentially  the  weaker  party.    When 
the  government  moved  its  force,  which  long  expe- 
rience had  shown  it  was  ever  slow  to  do,  he  was 
sure  in  the  end  to  be  routed  and  overcome.    Hence, 
if  nothing  else  prevented  his  incursions,  self-interest 
would  be  a  check,  were  it  not  for  the  intermed- 
dling of  others ;  who,  with  the  double  guilt  of  real 
enmity  to  the  Indian  and  the  United   States,  be- 
came the  party  truly  responsible  for  the  fate  that 
awaited  the  former,  as  well  as  the  butcheries  in- 
flicted upon  the  inhabitants  of  the  latter. 

And  here,  I  said,  I  came  to  a  painful,  but  indis- 
pensable, part  of  my  duty.  I  was  compelled  to 
declare  that  my  government,  resting  upon  sufficient 
proofs,  was  satisfied,  that  our  Indian  wars  gene- 
rally, with  the  massacres  on  the  frontier  nhvays 
their  preludes,  had  originated  in  one  and  the  same 
cause.    That  they  had  been  produced  by  Britisli 


[1819. 

cut  off  by  him, 
reach  him,  until 
s  called  out.    In 
)itants  been  slain 
ns.    But,  left  to 
vays  a  dangerous 
took  revenge,  he 
Lies ;  and  he  was, 
er  party.    When 

which  long  expe- 
low  to  do,  he  was 
vercome.  Hence, 
rsions,  self-interest 

for  the  intermed- 
louble  guilt  of  real 

Jnitcd   States,  bc- 
for  the  fate  that 

the  butcheries  in- 

le  latter, 
painful,  but  indis- 

was  compelled  to 
ting  upon  sufficient 
Indian  wars  gene- 
he  frontier  always 
one  and  the  same 
■educed  by  British 


1819.] 


COURT  OP  LONDON. 


479 


a. 


traders,  intruding  themselves,  with  evil  intentions, 
among  the  Indians.  To  recapitulate  the  proofs, 
would  not  be  difficult — American  history  contained 
them.  A  single  instance  might  be  adverted  to. 
The  events  of  the  late  war  which  threw  the  baggage 
of  General  Proctor  into  the  hands  of  the  Ameri- 
cans, had  put  the  government  of  the  United  States 
in  possession  of  documents  to  show,  that  if  not  all  the 
Indian  wars  which  President  Washington  had  been 
compelled  to  wage,  the  most  formidable  of  them, 
were  instigated  and  sustained  on  the  side  of  the  In- 
dians by  British  traders.  The  enormity  of  such  con- 
duct was  the  more  felt  in  the  United  States,  as  it  was 
there  alone  that  its  consequences  were  experienced. 
It  was  known  how  explicit  had  been  the  refusals 
of  the  government  of  the  United  States  to  admit, 
under  any  pretence  whatever,  British  traders  among 
the  Indians  within  their  borders ;  from  what  mo^ 
tives,  might  be  conjectured  from  all  that  I  was  say- 
ino-.  That  his  majesty's  government  had  disowned 
all  connexion  w  ith  these  agents  in  their  work  of 
death, \N  IS  well  known;  which  only  exhibited  their 
crhnes  under  a  deeper  dye,  seeing  that  they  perse- 
vered in  perpetrating  them  in  the  name  of  his  ma- 
jesty's government,  mocking  its  justice,  abusing  its 
dignity,  and  misleading  the  poor  Indian  but  the 


'I  I'liMMiMiimi 


4' 


t 


'■^ 


1 1 
t 


M 


4^ 


I       ♦ 


480 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1819. 


more  fatally  by  claiming  to  be  invested  with  itn 
high  auspices  and  support.  Here  was  the  fountain 
of  the  evil.  If  any  long  train  of  outrages  and  suf- 
ferings along  their  frontier,  could  be  supposed  to 
affect  the  sensibilities  of  a  people,  it  was  such  as  I 
was  obliged  to  bring  into  view. 

It  was  under  the  recollection  of  them  all,  that 
the  government  of  the  United  States,  was  forced 
to  regard  the  cases  of  Arbuthnot  and  Ambrister. 
The  necessity  of  reviewing  the  proofs  against  them, 
was  superseded  by  what  had  passed  at  our  inter- 
view on  the  seventh  instant.     His  majesty's  go- 
vernment had   acquiesced   in  the  reality  of  their 
guilt,  by  refusing  its  avenging  arm  in  their  behalf. 
It  only  remained  for  me  to  strip  their  punishment 
of  the  features  of  harshness  which,  imperfectly  un- 
derstood, it  might  seem   at  first   sight  to  wear. 
This  I  could  not  do  more  effectually,  than  by  de- 
claring it  to  be  the  behcf  of  my  government,  that  il 
was  to  these  two  individuals  that  the  war  with  the 
Seminole  Indians  was  to  he  ascribed.     That  with- 
out their   instigation,  it  never  would  have  taken 
place,  any  more  than  tlie  massacres  which  pre- 
ceded and  provoked  it ;  the  massacre  of  Mrs.  Gar- 
rit   and  her   children;   the  massacre  of  a  boat's 
crew  with  u,  midshipman  at  their  head,  ascending 


[1819. 

vested  with  it« 
ms  the  fountain 
jtrages  and  suf- 
be  supposed  to 
it  was  such  as  1 

)f  them  all,  that 
ates,  was  forced 
,t  and  Amhrister. 
oofs  against  them, 
ssed  at  our  inter- 
[lis  majesty's  go- 
,c  reality  of  their 
rm  in  their  behalf. 
)  their  punishment 
:.li,  imperfectly  uiv 
,gt  sight  to  wear. 
•tually,  than  by  de- 
Itrovernment,  thai  il 
at  the  war  with  the 
ihccl     That  with- 
Avould  have  taken 
Lsacres  which  pre- 
Issacre  of  Mrs.  Gar- 
ssacre  of  a  boat's 
•ir  head,  ascending 


1819.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


481 


the  Appalachicola,  in  time  of  peace ;  the  massa- 
cre, upon  another  occasion,  of  a  party  of  more 
than  thirty  Americans,  amongst  whom  were 
women  and  children,  with  other  massacres  alike 
shocking. 

As  to  Ambrister,  he  had  been  taken  in  arms. 
He  had  dispensed  with  the  necessity  of  evidence, 
by  pleading  guilty  to  the  charge  of  leading  on  the 
Indians   against  American  troops.     And  in  what 
light  did  Ambrister  stand  ?    We  find  him  deceiv- 
ing them  by  representations  which  he  knew  to  be 
untrue ;  striving  to  rouse  them  by  artful  falsifica- 
tions of  the  treaty  of  Ghent,  and  unfounded  asser- 
tions  of  ill  treatment  from  the  Americans.     At 
another  time  he  is  seen  applying  to  the  British 
minister  at  Washington,  to  the  British  governor  at 
New  Providence,  and,  indirectly,  to   the   British 
government  itself,  for  arms  and  annnunition   for 
the  Indians;  drawing  on  the  war  by  impressions 
made  on  their  minds,  that  they  Avould  be  u})held 
by    Britain;   and    presumptuously   usurping    the 
highest  ofldcial  names  in  Britain,  the  better  to  carry 
on  his  designs.     He  was  the  patron  of  the  Indians, 
the  penman  of  their  petitions,  the  spokesman  at 
their  councils ;  these  were  the  methods  by  which 
he  worked  tJpon  their  passions — these  the  testimo- 
01 


I 


A. 


I  / 


482 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1819. 


nials  of  his  guilt.  It  was  a  guilt  to  which,  in  the 
eye  of  the  government  of  the  United  States,  the 
credulous  Indian  whilst  perpetrating  his  worst 
enomities,  was  only  secondary.  It  therefore  called 
for  the  last  punishment. 

As  connected  with  the  general  subject  of  Indian 
cruelties,  I  spoke  of  the  massacres  of  American 
prisoners  during  the  late  war,  by  the  tribes  asso- 
ciated with  the  British  army.  I  brought  into  view 
those  committed  after  the  battle  on  the  river 
Raisin.  On  that  occasion,  American  officers,  who 
had  surrendered,  were  scalped  and  murdered  in 
the  presence  of  British  officers,  the  latter  declar- 
ing their  inability  to  restrain  the  ferocity  of  the 
Indians.  Among  the  victims,  was  Captain  Hart, 
the  brother-in-law  of  Mr.  Clay,  the  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States.  The 
public  sensation  under  such  horrors  might  be  easily 
imagined.  Congress  had  been  compelled  by  its 
highest  duties  to  pass  a  law  authorising  retaliation 
on  captive  British  officers,  in  case  of  their  repeti- 
tion ;  the  executive  government  of  the  Union  having 
previously  and  repeatedly  proposed  to  Great 
Britain,  that  neither  country  should,  under  any 
circumstances,  employ  these  savages  as  auxiharics 
in  battle. 


[1819. 

)  which,  in  the 
ted  States,  the 
;ing  his  worst 
therefore  called 

iubject  of  Indian 
es  of  American 
the  tribes  asso- 
rought  into  view 
ie  on  the    river 
can  officers,  who 
and  murdered  in 
the  latter  declar- 
le  ferocity  of  the 
as  Captain  Hart, 
:he  Speaker  of  the 
inited States.  The 
»rs  might  be  oasily 
compelled  by  its 
Lorising  retaliation 
se  of  their  rcpcti- 
If  the  Union  having 
oposcd    to   Great 
;hould,  under  any 
ages  as  auxiharics 


1819.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


483 


His  lordship  asked,  if  it  any  where  appeared 
that  there  had  been  a  connexion  between  Arljuth- 
not  and  Woodbine,  the  evidence  before  the  court 
martial,  as  far  as  he  recollected,  not  disclosing  that 
fact.  Here  I  gave  him  a  copy  of  the  journal,  in 
Arbuthnot's  hand-writing,  kept  in  October  and 
November  181G,  when  he  and  Woodbine  arrived 
in  the  vessel  of  the  former  at  Suwalmy,  from  Nas- 
sau. This  document  established  a  connexion  be- 
tween the  two,  and  moreover  showed  that  Wood- 
bine, in  Arbuthnot's  presence  made  promises  to 
the  Indians  of  support  from  Great  Britain,  which 
Arbuthnot  knew  to  be  unwarrantable.  The  latter, 
instead  of  contradicting  them,  became  party  to  the 
deception  by  repeating  the  same  promises  him- 
self. 

His  lordship  next  inquired  if  there  was  any  evi- 
dence that  he  was  apprized  of  the  true  construc- 
tion of  the  nihili  article  of  the  treaty  of  Ghent ; — 
the  article  stipulating  that  the  United  States  would, 
immediately  after  the  ratification  of  the  treaty,  pat 
an  end  to  hostilities  with  all  the  Indian  tribes  with 
whom  they  had  been  at  war,  and  restore  their 
possessions;  provided  the  Indians  desisted  from 
hostihties,  and  that  Great  Britain  also  made  peace 
with  the  tribes  with  whom  she  had  been  at  war. 


t         t; 


^1 


•  ■•J 


H 


^. 


484 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1819. 


Passing  by  the  obvious  import  of  the  artV^e, 
that  it  could  apply  only  to  Indians  with  whom  the 
United  States  had  been  actually  at  war,  I  replied, 
that  there  was  also  positive  proof,  to  fix  upon  him 
this  knowledge;  viz.  a  letter  received  by  him  from 
Mr.  Culloh,  written  in  the  name  of  the  command- 
ing officer  of  Fort  Gaines,  in  which  he  was  ex- 
pressly informed,  that  such  was  its  meaning.  A 
copy  of  this  letter,  I  also  handed  to  his  lordship. 

I  drew  to  a  conclusion  by  saying,  that  both  of 
these  unhappy  individuals  had  clearly  then  drawn 
upon  themselves  their  doom.  That  towards  those 
who  could  dehberately  become  the  means  of  havoc 
and  bloodshed,  upon  so  great  a  scale,  the  extension 
of  a  lenient  treatment  by  the  United  States,  would 
be  to  forget  what  they  owed  to  their  own  citizens. 
Long  had  they  borne  the  evils  inflicted  by  such 
guilty  agents.  If  a  necessary  justice  had  at  length, 
for  the  first  time,  held  up  to  public  example 
two  of  them,  there  was  room  for  the  hope,  that, 
painful  as  was  the  occurrence,  it  might  be  pro- 
ductive of  future  good  to  the  cause  of  hiunanity. 
I  was  directed  by  the  President  to  say,  that  what- 
ever deep  regret  might  belong  to  the  occasion, 
there  appeared  to  be  no  ground  of  censure.  The 
commanding  general  stood  high  in  the  confidence 


[1819. 

of  the  artV^e, 
with  whom  the 
war,  1  rephcd, 
to  fix  upon  him 
cd  by  him  from 
■  the  command- 
lich  he  was  cx- 
ts  meaning.    A 
3  his  lordship, 
ing,  that  both  of 
;arly  then  drawn 
lat  towards  those 
0  means  of  havoc 
;alc,  the  extension 
Lted  States,  would 
their  own  citizens, 
inflicted  by  such 
itice  had  at  length, 
|o  public  example 
»r  the  hope,  that, 
it  might  be  pro- 
fuse of  humanity, 
to  say,  that  what- 
to  the  occasion, 
of  censure.    The 
[i  in  the  confidence 


1819.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


485 


of  his  country,  had  added  to  its  glory,  and  was 
believed  on  this,  as  other  occasions  of  his  life,  to 
have  been  animated  only  by  a  sense  of  the  public 
good.  It  was  scarcely  necessary  for  me  to  subjoin, 
that  those  who  mixed  themselves  up  with  hordes, 
whose  modes  of  warfare  subjected  to  destruction, 
with  torments,  all  who  fell  into  their  hands,  even 
women  and  children — excluded  themselves  from 
the  pale  of  those  merciful  protections  which 
civilized  warfare  delighted  to  extend  to  captives. 
To  have  allowed  these  individuals  a  trial  at  all,  was 
an  indulgence. 

His  lordship  said  that  he  would  take  into  con- 
sideration what  had  fallen  from  mc,  as  well  as  the 
fresh  papers  I  bad  submitted,  before  offering  any 
thing  on  his  part.  He  asked  if  I  had  any  further 
documents  to  lay  before  him.  I  said  no:i  j.  Will 
no  others  be  laid  before  Congress,  he  uiquircd? 
He  had  here  in  his  mind  the  letter  of  Mr.  Adams  of 
the  28th  of  November  1818,  to  the  minister  of  the 
United  States  at  the  court  of  Spain,  containing  so 
ample  a  vindication  of  the  principal  events  of  the 
Siminole  war,  including  the  execution  of  the  two 
British  subjects.  I  answered,  that  the  President 
would  in  all  probability  communicate  to  Congress 
other  documents  tlian  the  bare  proceedings  of  tlic 


r-. 


r 


•J 


•K, 


i^  J 


f    ; 


!     ( 


186 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1819. 


court  martial;  if  so,   they  might  be  expected  in 
England  by  early  arrivals. 

In  the  end  he  remarked,  that  he  greatly  lament- 
ed the  whole  occurrence.  It  was  exciting  strong 
sensibility  in  England.  On  this  topic,  he  dwelt 
with  some  anxiety;  giving  expression  however,  for 
himself,  to  none  other  than  assuaging  sentiments. 
In  this  spirit  the  interview  had  been  conducted ;  and 
in  this  spirit  it  terminated.  I  need  hardly  add,  that 
the  explanations  on  my  side,  were  afforded  with  all 
the  conciliation  of  manner  that  might  comport  with 
the  necessary  enforcement  of  their  truth. 

January  14.   Received  a  note  from  Lord  Castle- 
reagh  reqi     ting  me  to  call  on  him.   On  my  arriva 
he  said,  that  the  cases  of  Arbuthnot  and  Ambrister 
were  making  a  deep  impression  on  the  public  mind; 
he  witnessed  it  with  concern,  as  he  knew  not  wlia 
turn  the  subject  might  yet  take  when  parliamen 
met;  he  saw  nothing  objectionable  in  the  genera 
character  of  my  explanations ;  on  the  contrary,  on 
revolving  in  his  mind  all  that  I  had  said,  there 
were  parts  which  it  was  rather  his  desire  I  would 
repeat  for  his  more  full  information.    This  I  did-F 
with  the  necessary  amplifications.     I  spoke  of  thd 
war  with  the  Creek  Indians  in  1813,  and  the  bar) 


[1819. 
be  expected  in 

greatly  lament- 
;  exciting  strong 

topic,  he  dwelt 
sion  however,  for 
aging  sentiments, 
in  conducted;  and 
id  hardly  add,  that 
re  afforded  with  all 
night  comport  with 

teir  truth. 

b  from  Lord  Castle- 
him.  On  my  arrival 
thnot  and  Ambristei 
.on  the  public  mind; 

s  he  knew  not  what 
Lc  when  parliament 
[nable  in  the  general 
on  the  contrary,  on 
t  1  had  said,  there 
[or  his  desire  1  would! 

•n^ation.  ThisUW,' 
dons.  iBpokeoftkj 
L  1813,  and  the  bar- 


1819.] 


COURT   OP    LONDON. 


487 


barities  at  Fort  Mimms  that  provoked  it.  These, 
there  was  much  reason  for  believing,  had  also  been 
instigated  by  guilty  subjects  of  Britain.  His  lord- 
ship requested  I  would  furnish  him  with  a  copy  of 
the  treaty  of  peace  concluded  on  that  occasion,  and 
a  copy  of  the  act  of  Congress  I  had  mentioned, 
authorising  retaliation. 

January  15.  Furnished  Lord  Castlereagh  with 
a  copy  of  the  act  of  Congress  of  the  third  of  March 
1813,  authorising  retaliation,  as  mentioned  to  him ; 
and  a  copy  of  the  treaty  of  Fort  Jackson  of  the 
ninth  of  August  1814. 

I  had  expected  that  he  would  say  something  of 
the  views  of  his  majesty's  government  respecting 
the  Indians  along  our  frontier,  in  pursuance  of  his 
intunation  on  the  ninth  instant ;  but  he  did  not. 
Nor  did  any  further  explanations  or  remarks,  of 
an  official  nature,  pass  between  us  relative  to  these 
executions. 

They  subsequently  became  the  subject  of  parlia- 
mentary inquiry.  Commentaries  that  might  have 
been  anticipated,  were  made  in  debate ;  but  the 
ministers  maintained  their  ground.  Out  of  doors, 
excitement  seemed  to  rise  higher  and  higher. 
Stocks  experienced  a  slight  fall,  under  an  appre- 


j 


r: 


1;^ 


^. 


)! 


488 


i     it 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1819. 


hension   of  war  ^^4th   the   United   States.     The 
newspapers  kept  up  their  fire.    Little  acquainted 
with  the  true  character  of  the  transaction,  they 
gave  vent  to  angry  declamation ;  they  fiercely  de- 
nounced the  government  of  the  United   States; 
tyrant,  ruffian,  murderer,  were  among  the  epithets 
applied  to  their  commanding  general.    He  was  ex- 
hibited in  placards  through  the  streets  of  London. 
The  journals,  without  any  distinction  of  party, 
swelled  the  general  chorus ;  the  whig  and  others  in 
opposition,  taking  the  lead,  whilst  those  in  the  tory 
interest,  although  more  restrained,  gave  them  coun- 
tenance.   In  the  midst  of  this  din  of  passion,  the 
ministry  stood  firm.     Better  informed,  more  just, 
they  had  made  up  their  minds  not  to  risk  the  peace 
of  the  two  countries  on  ground  so  untenable.    It 
forms  an  instance,  a  remarkable  one,  of  the  intelli- 
gence and  strength  of  a  government,  successfully 
disregarding  the  first  clamours  of  a  powerful  press, 
and  first  erroneous  impulses  of  an  almost  universal 
public  feeling.    At  a  later  day  of  my  mission,  Lord 
Castlereagh  said  to  me,  that  a  war  might  have  been 
produced  on  this  occasion  "  if  the  ministry  had  kit 
held  up  a  finger,''^    On  so  slender  a  thread  do  pub- 
lic aflfairs  sometimes  hang !    Plato  says,  that  the 
complaisance  which  produces  popularity,  is  the 


[1819. 

States.     The 
ttle  acquainted 
•ansaction,  they 
hey  fiercely  de- 
United  States; 
long  the  epithets 
:al.    Hewasex- 
reets  of  London. 

taction  of  party, 
^^hig  and  others  in 

t  those  in  the  tory 
d,  crave  them  coun- 
lin  of  passion,  the 
brmed,  more  just, 
)t  to  risk  the  peace 
so  untenable.    It 
one,  of  the  intelli- 
iment,  successfully 
,f  a  powerful  press, 
^n  almost  universal 
If  my  mission.  Lord 
|ar  might  have  been 

[he  ministry  had  hi 
[er  a  thread  do  pub- 
►lato  says,  that  the 
popularity,  is  tbc 


1819.] 


COURT   OF    LONDON. 


489 


source  of  the  greatest  operations  in  government. 
The  firmness  of  one  man,  is,  perhaps  the  pivot  on 
which  great  events  more  frequently  turn.  I  adopt- 
ed, and  retain,  the  belief,  that  this  quality  in  Lord 
Castlcreagh  unil(^r  the  emergency  I  have  been  de- 
scribing, sustained  by  the  snme  feeling  in  some  of 
his  colleagues  in  the  cabinet,  was  the  main  cause 
of  preventing  a  rupture  between  the  two  nations. 

January  20.     Lord  Castlereagh  gives  an  official 
dinner  to-day,  at  his  house  in  St.  James's  square, 
to  the  members  of  the  cabinet  and  privy  council, 
amounting  in  all  to  between  thirty  and  forty.    The 
object  is,  to  agree  finally  upon  the  Prince  Regent's 
speech  to  parliament.    It  is  drawn  up,  said  my  in- 
formant, and  will  be  read  by  his  lordship  to  ths  com- 
pany, at  table,  after  dinner.     This  is  the  custom, 
he  continued,  every  year,  the  day  before  parliament 
meets.     The  office  of  entertaining  the  ministers 
and  reading  the  speech,  generally    devolves,  he 
added,  on  the  leading  ministerial  member  in  the 
House  of  Commons,  and  had  been  for  several  years 
in  the  hands  of  Lord  Castlereagh. 

January   21.     ParUament    was    opened.     The 
Prince  Regent  did   not  come   in  person  to  the 
62 


llV 


490 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1819. 


House  of  Lords.  Five  commissioners  represented 
him,  viz.  the  Lord  Chancellor,  the  Archbishop  of 
Canterbury,  the  Marquis  Camden,  the  Earl  of  West- 
moreland, and  the  Earl  of  Harrovvby.  The  speech 
was  read  by  the  Lord  Chancellor.  It  announced 
two  events,  and  only  two,  in  connexion  with  the 
foreign  relations  of  the  country.  First,  that  the 
negotiations  at  Aix  la  Chapelle  had  led  to  the  evacu- 
ation of  the  French  territory  by  the  allied  armies. 
Secondly,  that  a  treaty  had  been  concluded  with  the 
United  States,  for  the  renevml  of  the  Commercial  con- 
vention, and  the  amicable  adjustment  of  several  points 
of  mutual  importance  to  the  interests  of  both  nations. 
It  stated  the  trade  and  manufactures  of  Great 
Britain,  to  be  in  a  most  flourishing  condition,  and 
that  there  was  a  progressive  improvement  of  the 
revenue  in  its  most  important  branches. 


'      I! 


January  22.  Mr.  Bentham  came  to  see  me.  11 
alluded  to  the  death  of  Sir  Samuel  Romilly,  vvho| 
committed  suicide.  He  replied,  that  he  had  loved 
him  dearly,  and  had  no  heart  to  inform  himself  o| 
the  particulars  of  his  melancholy  end,  being  to  thi 
day  in  ignorance  of  them  all,  although  the  newspaJ 
pers  had  teemed  with  them,  and  intending  to  remuiil 
ignorant.    "  I  count  his  death  a  great  public  loss,] 


[1819. 

ners  represented 
3  Archbishop  of 
the  Earl  ofWest- 
by.    The  speech 
r.    It  announced 
onnexion  with  the 
y.    First,  that  the 
tdledtotheevacu- 
the  alhed  armies. 

concluded  with  the 
tU  Commercial  con- 
lent  of  several  points 
rests  of  hoth  nations, 
ufactures   of  Great 
jhing  condition,  and 
improvement  of  the 

tranches. 

came  to  see  me.  I 
Samuel  Romilly,  who 
[d,  that  he  had  loved 

to  inform  himseh'  of  j 
|olycnd,beingtothis 

lUhough  the  newspa- 
[d  intending  to  remain  I 

a  great  public  loss"  ] 


1819.] 


COURT   OF  LONDON. 


491 


he  added ;  "  he  leaves  a  chasm  in  parliament  not  to 
be  filled,  unless  Mackintosh  will   step  into  it ;  I 
mean  in  the  field  of  philosophical  jurisprudence, 
but  particularly  as  regards   the  criminal  code,  to 
mitigate  and  improve  which,  was  a  grand  object  of 
his  parliamentary  labours."    Mackintosh,  he  said, 
"was  full  of  general  knowledge  and  wisdom  on 
this  subject,  but  not  so  much  a  master  of  details, 
and  wanted  the  systematic  industry  of  Romilly." 
I  asked  if  Brougham  would  not  do  ?     Brougham, 
he  said,  had  power  enough  for  any  thing;   he 
could  look  at  the  law  in  its  broadest  outline  as  a 
science,  or  its  smallest  parts  as  a  profession,  but 
was  too  off-hand  and  uncompromising  to  carry  his 
ends  in  the]House  of  Commons,  like  Romilly ;  who, 
although  also  of  the  opposition,  had  conciliation  as 
well  as  strength,  and  could  effect  much  by  their  union. 
He  talked  a  great  deal  of  the  United  States,  ask- 
ing many  questions  about  our  forms  of  government, 
and  particularly  about  the  laws  relating  to  elec- 
tions.   Besides  affording  him  all  the  information  in 
my  power,  in  the  course  of  a  two  hour's  conversa- 
tion, I  put  into  his  hands  a  volume  that  contained 
a  printed  copy  of  the  constitution  of  the  United 
States,  and  of  all  the  separate  states.     Hearing 
that  it  required  a  freehold  qualification  to  vote  in 


»  - 


«,-..- 


i-*^ 


■1  _• 

■Ik 

J 

'1 

. 

J 
1 

^> 

1 .1 

I- 

/ 

\i5 

*..*. 

492 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1819. 


I' 


Virginia,  he  asked,  with  apparent  anxiousness, 
whether  better  representatives  were  chosen  in  that 
state  than  in  the  others  ?  I  rephed,  that  it  was  a 
point  I  could  not  undertake  to  decide ;  but  that,  by 
general  admission  among  us,  Virginia,  for  the  most 
part,  sent  able  men  to  congress.  Did  I  ascribe  this 
to  the  freehold  qualification  ?  I  said  no ;  but  rather 
to  the  existence  of  slavery  in  that  as  the  other 
southern  states ;  which,  whatever  its  evils  in  other 
respects,  left  a  large  portion  of  their  inhabitants  at 
leisure  to  cultivate  their  minds,  and  thence  to  pur- 
sue public  life  with  advantage.  Did  I  then  ap- 
prove of  slavery  ?  Certainly  not,  I  said,  as  an 
abstract  question,  or  in  its  general  results ;  but  that 
it  was  apt  to  lead  to  a  high  formation  of  individual 
character  among  the  better  classes  of  those  who 
owned  that  species  of  property ;  who  being  thus  in- 
dependent in  their  circumstances,  were  enabled  to 
give  themselves  up  to  the  studies  and  other  train- 
ing that  led  to  distinction  and  influence  in  public 
aflfairs.  Such,  at  least,  we  had  found  to  be  much 
the  case  in  the  southern  states  of  our  union.  The 
topic  was  further  talked  over,  with  a  referrncr 
to  Burke's  celebrated  passage  bearing  upon  it,  in 
his  speech  on  American  conciliation. 

I  inquired  if  I  might  consider  it  ns  true,  as  the 


[1819. 

It   anxiousness, 
3  chosen  in  that 
d,  that  it  was  a 
ide ;  but  that,  by 
nia,for  the  most 
Did  I  ascribe  this 
id  no;  but  rather 
hat  as  the  other 

Its  evils  in  other 
eir  inhabitants  at 
nd  thence  to  pur- 
Did  I  then  ap- 
ot,  1  said,  as  an 
al  results ;  but  that 

lation  of  individual 

,ses  of  those  who 
|^vho  being  thus  in- 
is,  were  enabled  to 
IS  and  other  train- 
influence  in  public 
found  to  be  much 
f  our  union.    Tho 
with  a  reference 
•caring  upon  it,  m 
tion. 
ir  it  as  true,  as  the 


1819.] 


COURT   OF    LONDON. 


493 


newspapers  stated,  that  a  single  individual.  Sir 
Francis  Burdett,  had  made  a  donation  of  a  thou- 
sand pounds  sterling,  towards  defraying  the  expen- 
ses of  Mr.  Hobhouse's  election  for  Westminster, 
in  the  room  of  Sir  Samuel  Romilly.  He  said  that 
nothing  was  more  probable.  Of  the  whole  expen- 
ses of  the  election  he  could  not  inform  me;  an 
inquiry  I  had  made  from  being  aware  of  the  enor- 
mous sums  sometimes  expended  in  contested  elec- 
tions in  the  country  in  England  by  the  rival  candi- 
dates or  their  friends. 

Before  parting,  he  asked,  if  I  had  any  objections 
to  letting  him  sec  the  form  of  the  letter  of  credence 
which  the  United  States  gave  to  their  ministers 
plenipotentiary  to  the  crowned  heads  of  Europe? 
showing  me,  at  the  same  time,  a  copy  of  one  which 
an  English  ambassador  to  one  of  the  northern 
courts,  had  given  him  not  long  ago.  I  cheerfully 
furnished  hhn  with  a  sketch  of  the  general  form  of 
that  which  the  United  States  give,  leaving  blanks 
where  names  occurred.  I  inferred  from  a  part  of 
our  conversation,  that  he  wanted  it  for  the  infor- 
mation of  some  one  of  the  South  American  depu- 
ties in  London. 

I  remarked  on  this,  as  the  former  occasion  when 
with  Mr.  Bentham,  his  use  of  simple  language,  so 


494 


RESIDENCE    AT    THE 


[1819. 


f^-..., 


r 


, ./ 


.  it 


different  from  the  style  of  his  writings ;  and  was 
struck  with  his  personal  resemblance  to  the  like- 
nesses of  Dr.  Franklin.  I  requested  him  to  name 
a  day  when  he  would  dine  with  me ;  but  he  excused 
himself,  saying  that  many  of  his  habits  were  pecu- 
liar, owing  to  the  state  of  his  health,  and  he  could 
not  think  of  being  a  tax  upon  his  friends.  I  assured 
him  of  the  gratification  it  would  give  me  to  meet 
all  his  wishes  in  such  particulars;  but  again  he 
begged  to  be  excused. 

January  23.  Dined  at  Mr.  Wellesley  Pole's. 
There  were  at  table,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pole,  Mrs.  Rush, 
Lady  Harvey  of  Maryland,  Lady  Georgiana  Fane, 
Miss  Caton  of  Maryland,  the  Duke  of  Wellington, 
the  Earl  of  Westmoreland,  Lord  Fitzroy  Somerset, 
one  of  the  aids  of  the  Duke  of  Wellington,  Sir 
Felton  Harvey,  another;  young  Mr.  Fane,  Mr. 
M'Tavish  of  Baltimore,  and  Mr.  Bouvcrie. 

Conversation  was  various.  Mr.  Bagot's  proba- 
ble return  home  in  May,  was  mentioned ;  a  frigate 
was  to  be  sent  for  him.  I  spoke  of  the  satisfaction 
his  diplomatic  career  had  given  at  Washington ; 
and  from  authority,  having  been  directed  by  the 
President  to  say  so  to  Lord  Castlereagh. 

Paris  and  French  society  were  favourably  spo- 


[1819. 

ncTS ;  and  was 
;e  to  thelike- 
i  him  to  name 
but  he  excused 

bits  were  pecu- 
1,  and  he  could 
jnds.    I  assured 
rive  me  to  meet 
'.   but  again  he 


;Ve\lesley  Pole's. 
.Pole,  Mrs.  Hush, 
i  Georgiana  Fane, 
of  Wellington, 
Fitzroy  Somerset, 
f  Wellington,  Sir 
cT  Mr.  Fane,  Mr. 
Couvcrie. 
/Ir.  Bagot's  proba- 
tioned;   a  frigate 
of  the  satisfaction 
at  Waslnngton; 
directed  by  tl^e 
stlereagb. 
re  favourably  spO' 


COURT    OP    LONDON. 


495 


Ue 


n 


1819.] 

ken  of.  The  Duke  of  Wellington  and  Lord  Fitz- 
roy  Somerset,  took  a  leading  share  in  what  was 
said.  Mention  was  made  of  a  solemn  celebration 
a  few  days  since,  at  the  chapel  of  the  French  em- 
bassy in  London,  to  commemorate  the  anniversary 
of  the  execution  of  Louis  the  Sixteenth.  The 
priest  read  the  will  of  Louis.  Lord  Fitzroy  Somer- 
set, in  describing  the  good  accommodations  of 
the  house  in  Paris,  in  which  the  Duke  of  Welling- 
ton resided  when  last  there,  said  it  was  the  same 
that  President  Monroe  had  occupied  during  his 
mission  to  France. 

We  heard  of  the  exploits  of  one  of  the  company 
during  the  late  shooting  season.     Eight  hundred 
and  twelve  partridges,  and  three  hundred  and  thirty 
pheasants,   were   the   fruit   of  his   marksmanship. 
Other  exploits  of  the  same  nature  were  spoken  of; 
some  that  exceeded  them.   A  gentleman  was  named 
on  whose  estate  at  the  preceding  season,  three  thou- 
sand flares  were  shot,  by  himself  and  friends ;  all 
explained,  I  might  add,  by  the  game  laws.     Some- 
thing remarkable  for  numbers,  in  another  way,  hap- 
pened to  be  mentioned ;  viz.  that  Colonel  Vivian, 
aid  to  the  Prince  Regent,  was  one  of  twenty-six 
children,  and  the  Bishop  of  Norwich  the  youngest 
of  thirty. 


i 


»      * 

' :  - 


I 


i.r 


;  .1 


I" 


496 


RESIDENCE  AT   THE 


[1819. 


Painting   became  a  topic.     The  collections  in 
France,  Spain,  and  the  Low  Countries,  were  familiar 
to   some   of  the   company.      My   attention  was 
excited  by  what  was  said  of  a  picture  of  the  Black 
Prince,  lately  picked  up  for  a  few  francs  at  a  sale  c:i 
the  continent.  Mr.  Pole  said  there  were  good  grounds 
for  believing  it  to  be  an  original,  formerly  of  the 
royal  collection  in  England.     The  account  given 
was,  that  James  II.  took  it  with  him  to  France, 
when  he  abdicated,  since  which  it  has  been  lost 
sight  of,  until  traced  by  chance  at  this  sale.     Lord 
Westmoreland  had  his  doubts,  from  the  circum- 
stances under  which  James  left  England ;  Mr.  Pole 
saw  no  incompatibility ;  which  led  to  conversation 
on  the  personal  fortunes  of  that  monarch.    The 
picture  afterwards  turned  it  upon  the  Plantagenets. 
It  was  remarked,  that  the  Duke  of  Wellington  had 
won  a  battle  in  Spain,  on  the  precise  ground  where 
the    Black  Prince  gained   one;     that   both    had 
fought  in  the  cause  of  the  crown  of  Spain,  one  for 
the  restoration  of  Peter  of  Castile,  the  other  for 
that  of  Ferdinand    the   Seventh;    each    Spanish 
monarch    having  been    ejected   by    the    Frencli. 
These  were  close   parallels   it  must  be  admitted. 
Another   was    probab'v  in    the   thoughts  of  the 
company — the  fields  ol  Poictiers  and   Waterloo. 


[1819. 

collections  in 
a  were  familiar 

attention  was 
tre  of  the  Black 
Lncsatasalecii 
3re  good  grounds 

formerly  of  the 
e  account  given 

him  to  France, 

it  has  heen  lost 
t  this  sale.    Lord 
from  the  circum- 
ingland;  Mr.Pole 
pd  to  conversation 
it  monarch.    The 
1  the  Plantagenets. 

of  Wellington  had 

icisc  ground  where 

that  both    had 
.  of  Spain,  one  for 
jtilc,  the  other  for 
th;    each   Spanisb 
by    the    French. 
must  he  admitted. 
|e   thoughts  of  the 
;rs  and  Waterloo. 


1819.] 


COURT  OF  LONDON. 


197 


All,  I  believe,  would  have  destined  the  picture, 
if  genuine,  to  the  ownership  of  the  Duke  of 
Wellington,  as  a  companion  to  the  collossal 
statue  of  Napoleon,  at  Apslcy-house,  his  town 
residence. 

Sir  Felton  Harvey  and  Lord  Fitzroy  Somerset, 
had  each  lost  an  arm  in  the  battles  of  the  duko. 
The  duke  himself  had  never  been  wounded. 
Others  of  his  military  suite,  had  been  maimed  or 
killed  by  his  side.  Sir  Felton  had  been  with  him 
in  most  of  his  campaigns  in  the  Peninsula.  Speak- 
ing of  him,  he  said  to  me,  that  his  self-possession 
enabled  him  to  sleep  soundly  on  the  brink  of  dan- 
ger. Often,  in  the  hottest  parts  of  a  campaign, 
after  lying  down,  under  his  usual  order  to  be  awoke 
if  necessary,  he  had  known  him  called  up  repeatedly 
within  a  few  hours,  by  the  arrival  of  expresses ;  and, 
if  no  movement  were  required,  drop  asleep  again  in 
a  moment.  It  was  such  conversation  and  more,  that 
the  evening  brought  with  it,  our  fair  country  women 
often  and  gracefully  contributing. 

Of  Sir  Felton  Harvey,  as  amiable  as  brave,  say 
those  who  know  him,  I  subsequently  heard  an  anec- 
dote ;  which  may  be  in  print,  though  I  have  not  seen 
it.  Whilst  one  of  the  battles  in  Spain  was  raging, 
the  duke  gave  him  an  order,  to  convey  to  another 
63 


498 


RESIDENCE  AT  THE 


[1819. 


u¥ 


part  of  the  field.     Half  across  it,  a  French  officer 
was  seen  gallopping  towards  him.     Sir  Felton's 
useless    sword   hung   by   his   side;     it    was    his 
right  arm  he   had   lost,  the  other  held  the  bridle ; 
but  he  faced  the  foe,  looking  defiance.     As  they 
swiftly  drew  near,  the  Frenchman  raised  himself 
on  his  stirrups,  his  sword   uplifted.     Discovering, 
at  the  very  moment  for  the  stroke,  his  adversary 
to  be  defenceless,  he  brings  down  his  Aveapon  in 
the  form  of  a  salute,  and  rapidly  passed  on !    Such 
acts  give  to    war  touches  of  moral   beauty,    in 
spite  of  its  evils.     After  the  battle,   the   restless 
courtesy  of  Harvey  sought  in  vain  for  the  chival- 
rous Gaul.     He  made  no  boast  of  sparing  life,  but 
gave  his  salute  in  silence. 


i 


January  26.  Mr.  ******  called  on  me.  He 
had  applied  by  note  for  an  interview,  stating  him- 
self to  be  connected  with .  It  wa.-.  his  pur- 
pose to  ask  some  information  relative  to  the  for- 
mation of  the  navy  board  of  the  United  States,  and 
other  matters  belonging  to  the  civil  organization  of 
our  marine.  He  talked  a  good  deal,  his  remarks 
being  sometimes  more  full  than  the  mere  desire  for 
information  seemed  to  require.  A  foolish  story 
livas  flying  about  the  streets,  of  Bonaparte's  escape 


[1819. 

I  French  officer 
I.     Sir  Felton's 
-,.     it    was    his 
held  the  bridle ; 
fiance.     As  they 
Lii  raised  himseli" 
d.    Discovering, 
ke,  his  adversary 
m  his  weapon  in 
passed  on!    Such 
noral  beauty,    in 
Lttle,  the  restlesf; 
ain  for  the  chival- 
lof  sparing  hfe,  hut 

ailed  on  me.    He 
view,  stating  him- 
_.    It  wa..  his  pur- 
elative  to  the  foi- 
United  States,  and 
ivil  organization  of 
deal,  his  remarks 
the  mere  desire  for 
A  foolish  story 
Bonaparte's  escape 


1819.] 


COURT    OF    LONDON. 


499 


from  St.  Helena, — the  story  adding,  that  a  fast 
sailing  American  schooner  had  been  in  the  plot. 
This  led  him  to  speak  of  the  ach  ements  of  the 
American  navy,  upon  which  he  touched  with  suffi- 
cient complaisance,  but  wound  up  with  an  allusion 
to  the  action  between  the  Chesapeake  and  Shannon. 
That,  on  the  whole,  ought  to  be  considered,  he 
thought,  the  fairest  criterion  of  the  naval  prowess 
of  the  two  countries,  frigate  to  frigate.  I  did  not 
argue  with  him,  and  he  soon  left  me,  after  the  some- 
what singular  topics  it  had  been  his  pleasure  to 
indulge  in.  I  am  bound  to  add,  that  it  was  the 
first  and  only  time  it  had  been  my  lot  to  hear  any 
broached  in  England,  not  suited  to  the  good  feel- 
ings of  conversation. 

The  Chesapeake,  it  is  true,  was  captured.  The 
British  captain  sought  the  battle  with  a  lofty, 
daring  spirit,  and  won  his  prize  gallantly.  Let  no 
American  gainsay  this ;  for  is  it  for  Americans  to 
rob  valour  of  its  renown  ?  We  heard  how  the  ex- 
ploit was  hailed  in  England ;  the  more,  as  it  seemed 
to  break  the  spell  of  a  series  of  naval  encounters 
between  the  two  nations,  that  had  terminated 
against  her.  But,  whatever  jOy  it  created  there, 
1  do  not  think  that  it  equalled,  nay,  I  am  sure  that 
It  did  not,  the  opposite  feeling  here.    I  remember, 


500 


IIESIDENCE    AT   THE 


[1819. 


'it 


(I 


who  among  us  can  forget,  the  first  rumour  of  it;  I 
remember  also  the   confident — the   universal — in- 
credulity; then  I  remember,  how  the  post  ofiices, 
for  several  days,  were  surrounded  by  anxious  inquir- 
ing thousands ;  how  even  groups  of  citizens  rode  out 
on  the  highways,  striving  to  catch  something  by 
anticipation  as  the  mail  approached,  under  the  start- 
ling reports  that  successively  came  in.    At  last, 
when  hope  was  gone — when  the  certainty  of  her 
capture  could  no  longer  be  hidden,  I  remember  the 
public  gloom.     Solemn  processions,   funeral  dis- 
courses, testified  it;  from  north  to  south — in  the 
sea  ports — in  the  interior — every  where  it  was  the 
same.  ''^  Don't  give  up  the  ship,''^  the  dying  words  of 
Lawrence,  slain  by  the  first  fire,  were  on  every 
tongue.     Wra  pped  in  his  flag  as  a  winding  sheet, 
his  remains  were  conveyed  by  the  victors  to  Hali- 
fax and  committed  to  British  earth,  with  honours 
due  to  the  brave ;  but  not  long  did  they  lie  there. 
A  vessel  fitted  out  by  the  prompt,  affectionate, 
patriotism  of  twelve  New  England  sea  captains, 
and  by  them  exclusively  manned,  bore  them  back 
to  his  country — the  country  he  had  honoured ;  the 
country  that  loved  him.     There  they  repose,  under 
the  laurel  as  the  cypress;  for  he  too,  in  his  turn,  had 
formerly  triumphed,  ship  to  ship,  over  the  proud  old 


1819.] 


COURT   OF    LON    Oiy. 


501 


flag  of  England.    Others  ma>     -igur  th.  naval  .»*«. 
tinies  Of  the  United  States  from  their  repcatec,     ad 
splendid  victories  in  the  very  infancy  of  tii,    Re- 
public ;  I,  from  the  grief  that  followed  this  dcfeaL 
It  illustrated  the  intensity  of  feeling  existing  among 
a  people  where  each  one,  under  their  noble  institu- 
tions,  identified  himself  with  the  nation,  and  seem- 
ed as  sorely  struck  down  by  a  pubhc  calamity, 
as  a  personal  blow.     What  may  not  be  hoped  of 
such  a  people  in  the  achievements   of  war— what, 
in  all  that  may  advance  their  prosperity  and  glory 
in  peace— if  true  to  themselves,  and  their  happy  and 
powerful  Union! 


THE    END. 


